Navy: Threats to territorial integrity are clear and present

PALAWAN, Philippines – The Philippine Navy is upgrading a far-flung station in Palawan facing the South China Sea. The chief of the navy says the threats to territorial integrity are clear and present.

Carmela Fonbuena reports.

President Aquino flies to Ulugan Bay in Palawan for the navy’s anniversary. The trip to the outpost nearest the disputed islands sends a clear message: the Philippines will not back down as maritime disputes escalate.

BENIGNO AQUINO, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Tunay pong makahulugan na sa unang pagkakataon ay dito natin ginaganap ang anniversary ng Philippine Navy sa headquarters ng Naval Forces West. Ito po ang pangunahing operational command ng Philippine Navy na nagbatantay at nangangala sa West Philippines Sea. (This opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of the Philippine Navy at the headquarters of the Naval Forces West is truly significant. This is at the forefront of the Philippine Navy’s operational command protecting the West Philippine Sea.)

Navy Vice Admiral Jesus Millan says the President’s visit to the naval station facing the West Philippines Sea brings him closer to the marines and sailors manning warships and gunboats in Ulugan Bay and Ayungin shoal.

He says the situation may blow up anytime.

JESUS MILLAN, NAVY VICE ADMIRAL: The menace of various threats to national security and territorial integrity are real and present. The geopolitical landscape changes with the latest developments and volatile situation in the region. But the navy commits to remain steadfast to surmount the odds and meet the expectations of our people.

China’s aggression in the South China Sea grows by the day. After reclaiming land in Mabini Reef, it deploys an oil rig near Paracel island angering the Vietnamese. On Tuesday, reports come in that a Chinese ship sinks a vietnamese fishing boat.

Marines and sailors deployed in the disputed waters face these threats every day. Milan notes, men are won by men, not machines.

JESUS MILLAN, NAVY VICE ADMIRAL: They are our best weapons. In the distant and solitary posts out there in the West Philippines Sea where the only frequent visitors of our marines and sailors are loneliness and uncertainty, our country’s best hope that he’ll stand his ground hinges on his indomitable courage and strong resolve to serve his country.

Lieutenant MIke Pelotera was one of the Marines assigned to a grounded ship on Ayungin Shoal. His 3 month tour of duty turned into 5 months. Evading a Chinese blockade, the Navy brought him back to the station in March.

He fears the Marines who took over Ayungin shoal will have a harder time coming back. But he says they are ready for anything.

LIEUTENANT FIRST CLASS MIKE PELOTERA, PHILIPPINE MARINES: Buhay ng sundalo ay may halong hirap… hanggang nandito ang armed foces natin willing kaming itaya ang buhay naming madepensahan lang ang terriroryo natin. (A soldier’s life is hard but as long as the Armed Forces are here we’re willing to give our lives to defend our territory.)

Carmela Fonbuena, Rappler, Palawan. – Rappler.com