The China Coast Guard conducted an exercise a day before a Filipino civilian convoy is set to arrive at the Panatag Shoal to deliver supplies to local fishermen.
According to a report by Joseph Morong on 24 Oras on Tuesday, video from Chinese TV station CCTV from Reuters showed the CCG crewmen holding drills simulating an emergency in the Scarborough Shoal or Panatag Shoal.
Part of the drill to test the CCG’s readiness was a simulated rescue of a person in the water.
The broadcast did not mention when the drills took place but these took place in the Scarborough Shoal, also known as the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal – well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The footage was released before a scheduled civilian mission of the group Atin Ito to Panatag Shoal that would set sail on Wednesday.
The purpose of the civilian mission is to prove that the waters of Panatag Shoal is part of the country’s EEZ.
The group said it will also place buoys and give supplies to local fishermen.
In a press conference, Atin ito said the Philippines should normalize and regularize civilian access in the West Philippine Sea.
“If China is militarizing our own exclusive economic zone we’re there to civilianize our own seas. We stand by our belief that the WPS should be accessible to ordinary citizens,” Atin ito said.
In a satellite image from maritime expert Ray Powell, the number of Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal has increased.
Already stationed in the disputed body of water are 29 Chinese maritime militia vessels and 5 CCG ships.
Despite the Chinese presence, Atin Ito said they will not be deterred them from their peaceful mission.
A GMA Integrated News team is onboard a Philippine Coast Guard ship that will patrol in the Bajo de Masinloc to ensure the safety of the civilian mission despite not being a government activity.
The group said safety is their top priority and that they will not be in the area to provoke a water cannon attack. Atin Ito said their bottom lines and objectives are clear, and they are maintaining coordination and lines of communication so in case anything happens, they will be prepared with possible responses.
Meanwhile, the first ever space dialogue between the Philippines and the US is ongoing to strengthen cooperation in civil space matters and the use of space in maritime domain awareness.—RF, GMA Integrated News
