Latest news with #KadiwaparasaBagongBayaningMangingisda
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH Navy not part of fisherfolk aid missions but assures presence in WPS — PN spox
While not deployed with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in fisherfolk support missions, the Philippine Navy assured the public that it remains present and ready to respond in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). At a press conference on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the WPS, said the Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program is primarily a law enforcement activity of BFAR and the PCG. 'Let's first be very clear on this: the mission of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR was to support our fisherfolks through the conduct of the Kadiwa… That is a law enforcement support operation,' he said. Trinidad clarified that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have a different mission in the disputed waters. 'The AFP, the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force regularly conduct maritime patrol operations and air surveillance flights in Bajo de Masinloc, the Northern Islands, Benham Rise. There is no conflict in both statements. We have our respective mandates to perform," he said. The Navy official maintained the military has not abandoned its posts in the country's maritime territories. 'Not only the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Air Force, the AFP has never left the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, the Northern Islands, Benham Rise and even Kalayaan Island Group," Trinidad said. When asked about possible worst-case scenarios following recent incidents at sea, Trinidad said contingency plans are in place across the full range of possible conflicts. 'When we do contingency planning, we look at the entire spectrum of conflict from peace to crisis to wartime. Each possible scenario has different contingency measures in place," he noted. He also dismissed assumptions that the AFP would not respond if Filipino vessels were endangered. 'It is a universal mandate. The spirit of any sea-going individual, any professional organization is to extend assistance to any person requiring help in the ocean, in the maritime domain regardless of country, regardless of flag. And we have proven that in the past, not only for our Filipino citizens.' Trinidad noted that China's activities in the WPS tend to ease when foreign navies are present during multilateral activities. "Napansin namin na walang agresibong aksyon tuwing may presensya ng mga banyagang warship sa ating maritime domain," he said. (We observe there are no coercive and aggressive actions each time there are foreign warships in our maritime domain.) Moreover, he said the AFP is expanding its role beyond traditional domains to prepare for modern defense challenges. 'We are now looking into, not only sea, air and land. We have activities that cover cyber, undersea, not only kinetic warfare but also support and sustainment… covering all the details of a modern military," he added. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-08-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Supply mission to Bajo de Masinloc successful, says PCG
Even after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine vessel, the mission to deliver fuel and ice supply to more than 30 Filipino vessels in Bajo de Masinloc was successful, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 'In the face of harassment and aggressive actions from the China Coast Guard, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) proudly wraps up the 'Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda' (KBBM) program, which has delivered vital fuel subsidies and ice supplies to more than 30 Filipino fishing boats operating in Bajo De Masinloc,' said PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela in an X (formerly Twitter) post on Monday. 'This initiative underscores the PCG's commitment to supporting the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen who have relied on these waters for generations to sustain their families and communities,' he added. 'By providing these essential resources, the program seeks to alleviate the challenges encountered by our dedicated fisherfolk, allowing them to pursue their work with greater safety and security, especially in light of the harassment from the China Coast Guard.' The PCG earlier deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Suluan, along with MV Pamamalakaya, to conduct the mission. However, the Filipino vessels and fishermen encountered dangerous actions from Chinese vessels. 'During the operation, Philippine vessels and fishermen encountered hazardous maneuvers and blocking actions from other vessels in the vicinity. In particular, the MRRV 4406 was targeted with a water cannon, but the seamanship skills by PCG crew members allowed the vessel to successfully evade from getting hit,' said Tarriela. In a related incident, a CCG vessel 3104 collided with a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) ship 164, approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Bajo de Masinloc, the PCG said. The PCG offered assistance to the Chinese vessels. However, the latter did not respond to the said offer. After the incident, the PCG urged the Chinese government to respect the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). 'The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has consistently urged the Chinese government to respect the COLREGS and to approach these matters with professionalism, especially considering their role in enforcing maritime laws,' said Tarriela. 'We have also emphasized that such reckless behavior at sea could ultimately lead to accidents. Our thoughts are with the CCG personnel who may have been injured in this incident,' he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
'Dangerous maneuvers' performed by CCG while PH installs more floating devices in WPS
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) successfully conducted three-day Floating Aggregate Device (FAD) Laying Operations in Hasa Hasa and Kanduli Shoals. That's despite radio challenges and dangerous maneuvers from four Chinese Coast Guard vessels during the operation. 'Our crew, especially the radio operators, responded with professionalism and composure, successfully maintaining our maritime presence with dignity and courage,' said the PCG in a statement released on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the PCG said that there are now 20 FADs deployed in the area. 'The primary objective of this initiative is to bolster the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen by improving their fish catch, while also contributing to the national government's Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program, which aims to ensure a sustainable and affordable supply of fish,' the statement read. The PCG also said that the devices were installed with the use of three 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs), the 5001 PCG-manned BFAR vessel, and MV Mamalakaya, along with several Filipino fishing boats. 'The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard the livelihoods of our people, promote food security, and uphold our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,' it added. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
