Palace: PCG taking action on Chinese barriers in Panatag
Philippine News Agency
By Darryl John Esguerra
March 25, 2025, 2:24 pm
MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is addressing the presence of floating barriers installed by the Chinese maritime militia in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Malacañang said Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said details of the PCG operations could not be disclosed to the public.
"Naka-usap po mismo natin si Commodore [Jay] Tarriela, at ang anumang operasyon na gagawin nila ay hindi po natin maaaring i-expose (I have talked to Commodore Jay Tarriela and whatever actions they will take, we cannot expose it)," Castro said.
Tarriela is the PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea issues.
"Pero tiwala po tayo sa ating Coast Guard, sa DND, sa kanilang magiging desisyon patungkol po dito (But we trust our Coast Guard and the Department of National Defense on their decision about this matter)," Castro said.
In 2023, the government removed similar installations in the area following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
When asked if the government would pursue a similar measure, Castro the Palace has not heard of a similar plan.
"Hintayin na lamang po natin kung ano ang maaaring maging report at ano ang maaaring maging aksiyon po ng nasabing mga ahensiya (Let's just wait for the report and the action of the said agencies)," she added.
In a press briefing in Quezon City, the military said it is ready to assist the PCG in removing the barriers spotted by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources maritime domain awareness flight on Monday.
"In the event that assistance will be needed, the Philippine Navy, the Air Force and the entire Nolcom (Northern Luzon Command) will be ready to respond," Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said. (With a report from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
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