PCG on Batanes standoff: Taiwan is not an enemy

With tensions between Philippines and Taiwan coast guards near Batanes increasing due to recent standoffs, the Philippine Coast Guard said it hopes that the conflicts on maritime jurisdiction would soon be settled.

“We are hoping ma-settle na ang conflicts sa maritime jurisdiction,” PCG spokesperson Commander Armando Balilo said by phone on Tuesday.

He said that Taiwan is not an enemy and is a trading partner of the Philippines.

“Both countries are trying to come up with an agreement but I am not privy to these talks,” he added.

In 2013, a PCG ship fired at a Taiwanese fishing vessel, which killed a fisherman in Balintang channel.

The coast guards of Philippines and Taiwan were locked in a two-hour standoff in Batanes waters early June after Taiwan claimed it owned parts of Batanes, ABS-CBN reported.

The incident took place 23 nautical miles east of Itbayat at about 2a.m. last June 6, when the PCG spotted the Taiwanese Coast Guard.

The PCG used Maritime Control Ship (MCS) 3004 while Taiwan had a ship double its size.

“This is Philippine Coast Guard. May we know your intention? You are within 23 nautical miles east of Itbayat,” the PCG headed by Commander Angel Viliran told the Taiwan Coast Guard over radio.

“This is Taiwan Coast Guard. We are in the [exclusive economic zone],” Taiwan answered back to the PCG ship where the ABS-CBN team was embedded.

But Viliran insisted that Taiwan was within Philippine waters.

“No this is not your territory. You are 23 nautical miles east of Itbayat. You do not have any business staying here,” Viliran said.

Taiwan was firm that it was within its exclusive economic zone but the Philippines refused to acknowledge.

“You do not tell us what to do. This is our territory. You better check your map. Check your chart. This is not your territory,” Viliran said.

At one point, Taiwan said it was leaving but it did not move and instead tailed the PCG ship.

“What is your intention? You said you are leaving. Why are you still here?” Viliran said.

“We are not leaving. We are not leaving,” Taiwan replied.

“This is our territory. You don’t have any rights here,” Viliran answered back.

“This is our exclusive economic zone. This is our economic zone. We are not leaving. We have rights to stay here. We are not leaving,” Taiwan insisted.

The news report said that at that time, the MCS had no communication with the headquarters or any Philippine government agency.

A cargo ship led by a Filipino happened to pass by and heard the exchange of Taiwan and Philippine coast guards on radio. The Filipino captain agreed to document the exchange and pass it to the nearest frequency in Luzon if something happened.

“Roger, roger. Ganyan talaga para proteksyunan ang bayan natin, over,” the Filipino captain said.

At one point during the standoff, the coast guard men sang the national anthem. Viliran later  asked the Taiwan Coast Guard to check again their location.

“You are advised to call your government now,” he said.

The Taiwanese Coast Guard later left.

This is the fourth incident since May that the Philippines and Taiwan were locked in a standoff near Batanes. AC