FROILAN GALLARDO
CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez is calling on the defense-military establishment to prioritize the safety of civilian boats and their crew during resupply operations for troops stationed at Ayungin Shoal off Palawan.
In response to recent incidents of bullying and harassment by the Chinese Coast Guard towards civilian boats delivering provisions to the small military contingent in Ayungin, Rodriguez asserts the need to end this practice.
He questions the rationale behind using civilian boats and crew for supplying soldiers whose presence in the remote West Philippine Sea signifies our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Rodriguez proposes a safer alternative by recommending the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to airdrop supplies instead.
"By utilizing the air assets of the Air Force and Navy, the necessary provisions can be delivered to our patriotic soldiers stationed in Ayungin," said Rodriguez.
Although the risks involved in these airdrop missions are comparable to those faced by civilian boat crew, Rodriguez emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the military to protect our country's national sovereignty and territory by resupplying our troops in Ayungin.
As such, he suggests the use of various strategies during airdrops, including the deployment of decoy planes and the involvement of military videographers and photographers to document the missions.
Moreover, Rodriguez proposes that the DND-AFP could seek assistance from our allies, such as the United States, by requesting surveillance aircraft to monitor the airdrop operations.
Notably, a US plane was spotted in the Ayungin area during a previous resupply mission.
Rodriguez highlights the difficulty for China's People's Liberation Army and Coast Guard to obstruct Philippine planes conducting supply drops for Filipino soldiers in Ayungin.
The Chinese would need to deliberately engage in aggressive actions such as crashing or shooting down our planes.
While such scenarios are undesirable, they would activate the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
Ayungin Shoal, according to Rodriguez, is undeniably within Philippine territory under international law.
Situated approximately 200 miles from Palawan and more than 1,000 miles from the nearest Chinese island, he asserts that it is Chinese forces who should refrain from intruding in Ayungin as well as Scarborough Shoal off Pangasinan and Zambales, and any part of our 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
Rodriguez's concerns about the safety of civilian boat crews and his call to airdrop supplies to Ayungin troops showcase his unwavering commitment to uphold national sovereignty and protect the lives of those serving our country.
The implementation of safer resupply methods will help ensure the well-being of all involved parties and safeguard our territorial integrity, acvording to Rodriguez.
