Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — It’s not true that the Philippine government, especially the military, has been “obsessed” with running after communist insurgents that it has neglected the defense of Philippine waters against foreign threats, Malacañang said Monday.
“Wala pong katuturan ‘yan,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
(That is nonsense.)
He issued the remark after an authorized Chinese dredging ship has been spotted off the coast of Bataan last week.
The MV Zhonhai 68 was spotted about 13 kilometers southwest off Orion Point in Bataan province, was identified as a 2,340-ton general cargo ship that is registered and sailing under the Sierra Leone flag.
Philippine authorities found that the vessel was issued a departure clearance by the Customs office in Aparri, Cagayan more than a year ago, making its presence off Bataan “illegal and unauthorized.”
Roque explained that the defense of Philippine waters is the responsibility of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard while the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is in charge of insurgency.
“Dalawang sangay ‘yan ng ating hugpong sandatahan. So, hindi po totoo na obsessed sila sa isa, napapabayaan na ‘yung isa,” he said.
(That is two branches of our armed forces so it’s not true that they are obsessed with one responsibility and they neglect the other.)
He pointed out that the Chinese vessel had been apprehended, which is proof that the Coast Guard is doing it’s job.
“Kung natutulog sa pansitan ang ating hugpong sandaahan, eh ‘di nakalusot ‘yang dredging vessel na ‘yan. The fact na nahuli belies the propaganda,” he added.
(If our armed forces are not doing their job, the dredging vessel should’ve gotten away. The fact that it was seized belies the propaganda.)