Chinese-Taiwanese media sparked an uncontrollable outrage among their people about the death of their fellow fisherman Huang Shih-Cheng due to a recent shooting incident.
Before I go further, I should say that I humbly sympathize for the loss of life.
Now let me clarify my points as to why our Coast Guard 'properly' did its job.
1. Nothing is disputed at all. The incident took place well-within our territorial zone [Philippine], specifically 43 nautical miles east of Balintang Island. Obviously far beyond any Taiwanese territory. I wonder why their media constantly blurs out or removes Batanes in the map.
An example of a map printed by some irresponsible Taiwanese media removing Batanes islands from the map. Facts about Batanes island. 
Whereas the incident actually happened 43 nautical miles east of Balintang island (shown in map on left). Now based on the publicly released geographic coordinates by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (TCGA), the intruding boat was located at 19'58", 122'58", deep within our territory recognized by the UN Convention Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). I had imagined that they themselves are telling us that their boat was indeed inside our territory!
2. There was no overlapping EEZ. Taiwan is holding us responsible for the death of Huang Shih-Cheng and demands fishing rights in the area, specifically their self-imposed overlapping EEZ with the Philippines. This is somehow absurd because UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not reveal any document of overlapping zones.
This is an image showing Taiwan's EEZ (blue) and the disputed areas (green) courtesy of Sea Around Us Project.
3. Rules of Engagement. On May 9, 2013 at around 5:00 a.m., our [Philippine] coast guard on board MCS-3001 detected four foreign fishing vessels inside our jurisdiction. All four boats were being addressed using alarms or sirens, and loudspeaker announcements but they all sped away towards the direction of Taiwan.
Since it was vitally important for our Coast Guard to inspect their vessel for it's illegal fishing, they also have to open the possibility of smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal logging, and illegal migration activities. These possible violations will only be determined if the Philippine Coast Guard was able to board their vessels.
A chase which lasted four hours gave a possible attempt to board one fishing vessel but upon doing so, several fishing boats tried to ram the Philippine boat marking it a 'hostile' act against law enforcers. With an intention to cause harm, the PCG decided to provide warning shots for them to stop. With no cooperation, the PCG then decided to immobilize their vessel, the Guang Ta Hsin 28, by firing at it's engine. During the process, a bullet hit the neck of a 65 year Mr. Huang Shih-Cheng.
The Taiwanese fishing vessel continued to navigate towards the direction of Taiwan until the Taiwanese Coast Guard escorted them home.
According to the United States Coast Guard Rules of Engagement, the action of the Taiwanese fishing boat by intentionally ramming a law enforcer's vessel was a clear justification to shoot. There have been several accounts wherein law enforcers need to protect themselves in defense from hostile suspects.
Regardless if the fishing vessel was a significantly smaller vessel compared to the MCS-3001. It should not be justified that our law enforcer's shouldn't protect themselves.
I admire the boldness of the Coast Guard personnel who, in that decisive moment, made the choice to shoot the intruders' boat in order to prevent an further loss of lives.
Yet I do agree that an apology to the Taiwanese people be given publicly. Being sympathetic on a fisherman's death is also as important but what I should also patronize is the need to be nationalistic in saying that my country was the victim in the first place. What the Taiwanese government is actually demanding is too much as it seemed politicizing the activities of poaching.
I have my faith restored with them as evidence that our Coast Guard is still true to their oath in protecting the nation's territory and marine wealth.
Therefore, I say thank you Philippine Coast Guard!
I call upon every Filipino out there, join the ranks! Be a Navy reservist marked with courage, boldness, and patriotism. It is time to take part and be a doer of good deeds.
© iamreservist.blogspot.com
You really need to study UNCLOS before you open your mouth. Study:
ReplyDelete1. Part II, section 2, article 3 - Breadth of the territorial sea
2. Part V, article 70 - Right of geographically disadvantaged States
#1 Territorial sea is defined within 12 nautical miles. The incident happened at 43 nautical miles (according to you), was CLEARLY outside of your territorial water.
#2 EEZ is defined within 200 nautical miles. Batanes Island being so close to Taiwan, obviously there IS an overlap.
#3 Everything you said were based on your imagination. There's no proof to support any of your assumptions. After interrogating PCG crews, they admitted there were no rams. 8 crews shooting unarmed fishing boat with automatic weapons and after paralyzing the engine, they just left. None of what actually happened support what you are saying.
Also, if you are referring to "Sea Around Us", itself has stated that:
ReplyDelete"The information presented on this website is freely available to any user, granted that its source is acknowledged. We are aware that this information will be often incomplete, and outdated or even erroneous."
How can you refer to something that might be erroneous?