By Jaime Laude
MANILA, Philippines - The United States' (US) plan to assist the Philippines in monitoring its vast coastline will enhance efforts of the military to shift from internal to territorial defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Thursday.
Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP spokesman, said that while the US help is still in initial stages, this development is timely as the military is currently beefing up its defense capability, particularly in bolstering its maritime surveillance and monitoring capabilities.
“The assistance being offered by the US government will contribute in the enhancement and strengthening of our capabilities in monitoring and protecting our abundant natural and marine resources from exploitation, and in safeguarding and preserving our environment,” Burgos said.
On Tuesday, the US military said it plans to help the Philippines monitor its coastal waters while Manila is locked up in territorial dispute with China over Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) for more than a month now.
Tension mounted in Panatag Shoal, located 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales and more than 500 kilometers from China’s coastline in Hainan, when two Chinese ships prevented the Philippine Navy's flagship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar from arresting Chinese fishermen for engaging in illegal fishing in the shoal.
To deescalate the tension, BRP Gregorio del Pilar was pulled out from the area and was replaced by a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
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