For resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo has urged the government to invest in faster vessels during their resupply mission on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to ensure the security and competitiveness of our nation in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

This developed as Tulfo and his two colleagues from the ACT-CIS partylist and two other lawmakers filed a resolution last Monday urging the government to grant the United States and other ally countries for immediate access to Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for the conduct of joint naval and air patrols in the WPS.

During the hearing on Tuesday of the House Special Committee on West Philippine Sea chaired by Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II, Tulfo told the National Task Force for the WPS including the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard that swift and capable maritime assets are essential for safeguarding our territorial interests and maintaining a strong presence in this strategically important region.

“Gaano po kabilis ang sasakyan natin? How fast is it? Talagang aabutan kayo kung ang takbo nyo lang ay five knots tapos sila ay nasa 20 knots talagang maabutan kayo,” Tulfo asked the resource persons.

“The Chinese Coast Guard is toying with you. In short, pinaglalaruan po tayo, pino-propvoke po tayo. And we have been very patient in the past months or a year or two,” Tulfo added.

For their part, PCG Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela admitted that their 44- meter vessels can run as fast as 22-25 knots.

“However, since our primary mission is to provide escort to the chartered boat we have to adjust our slow speed so that we can able to phase our chartered boat,” he answered.

“Wala po ba tayong makuha na sasakyan na matulin-tulin naman. Kasi kung seven knots ang swimmer natin ay baka seven knots ang bilis, eh talaga hong maabutan ‘yan. Kawawa nga din naman ang Coast Guard magiging siya ang panangga,” Tulfo also questioned.

The resource persons answered that Tulfo’s suggestion is part of the option that the government is considering as the ideal speed is 15 knots.

They added that they are looking for vessels for the resupply mission that can go at least 15 knots.

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS lawmakers, Reps. Erwin Tulfo, Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo and two other solons, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1421 urging the government to grant US and other ally countries immediate access to EDCA sites.

“I filed a House Resolution to extend to the Armed Forces of Australia, Japan and South Korea the privilege of using the military bases under the EDCA, while they are conducting patrol, in coordination with the naval and air forces of the Philippines and the United States in the West Philippines Sea,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo said he led the filing of the resolution as China government “has no intention of respecting the law. It operates under the might-is-right doctrine.”

“If we allow this violation of our territorial integrity to continue, we will one day find the Chinese on our shores, and they will claim that they have a historical right over not only one part, but, God forbid, all of the Philippine archipelago,” the House Deputy Majority Leader added.

The resolution urged the government to grant US and other allies such as Australia and Japan immediate access to EDCA sites at Naval Base Camilo Osias, Sta. Ana, Cagayan and Balabac Island, Palawan for the conduct of joint naval and air patrols in the WPS.

“The Philippines is a small country. It can only find strength in numbers, and that is by joining a military alliance. That’s the reason why Japan and South Korea, both military and economic powerhouses, continue to host US military bases,” Tulfo also said.