MANILA, Philippines- Malacañang admitted on Friday that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is incapable of defending the Philippine waters being claimed by China since it still has to defend the waters of the entire archipelago.
The Palace released this statement after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin proposed that PCG vessels should be deployed to the West Philippine Sea where the vessels of China are using cannons to drive away Filipino fishermen.
According to reports earlier this week, Chinese Coast Guard vessels fired cannons at Filipino fishermen to drive them away from Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the PCG is on constant patrol but it is impossible for it to defend all Philippine waters because the size of the area they have to protect and the limited resources allotted to the Philippine Navy.
Valte said the PCG had already been instructed on how to deal with such situation even before a conflict occurs.
She pointed out that the Philippines has adopted the policy of non-provocation and non-confrontation.
The Palace released this statement after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin proposed that PCG vessels should be deployed to the West Philippine Sea where the vessels of China are using cannons to drive away Filipino fishermen.
According to reports earlier this week, Chinese Coast Guard vessels fired cannons at Filipino fishermen to drive them away from Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the PCG is on constant patrol but it is impossible for it to defend all Philippine waters because the size of the area they have to protect and the limited resources allotted to the Philippine Navy.
Valte said the PCG had already been instructed on how to deal with such situation even before a conflict occurs.
She pointed out that the Philippines has adopted the policy of non-provocation and non-confrontation.
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