Aquino creates West Philippine Sea task force

President Benigno Aquino III forms the National Task Force for the West
Philippine Sea after Filipino fishermen were again harassed by the Chinese
coast guard in Scarborough Shoal.

NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY. President Benigno S. Aquino III creates the National Task Force for the
West Philippine Sea as tensions continue to mount between the Philippines and China in the
disputed area. File photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Citing the "evolving strategic landscape," President

Benigno Aquino III created a task force that would unify national action on the
West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) issue.

The President signed Memorandum Circular 94 on March 17, creating the

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) chaired by the
National Security Adviser.

In issuing MC 94, Aquino said: "Given the country's national interest, national
policies, and evolving strategic landscape, a more deliberate and coherent
approach in addressing the West Philippine Sea issue is needed for the purpose
of orchestrating the national effort and achieving unified action in the West
Philippine Sea."

The President created the body as tension erupted anew between Chinese
authorities and Filipino fishermen in an area considered as traditional Philippine
fishing grounds – Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) – 124 nautical miles off
the coast of Zambales province. (READ: PH: 'Disconcerting that nobody is
stopping China')

A Chinese coast guard vessel reportedly rammed into Filipinos fishing in the
shoal. Bejiing later accused the fishermen of hurling fire bombs at the Chinese
vessel. Manila has brought a case before an international tribunal to rule on the
disputes over territories, including Scarborough Shoal. It argued that an
unfavorable ruling would rob its fishermen of the right to fish in their own waters,
among others.

The move has infuriated Beijing, which insists the matter is outside the court's
remit. A ruling on the case is expected before May.

Constitutional mandate

In creating the NTF-WPS, the Philippine leader said that "consistent with the
Constitution, the Philippines' interest in the West Philippine Sea include the
maintenance and protection of Philippine sovereignty, preservation and defense
of territorial integrity, and promotion of the welfare and well-being of the Filipino
people."

"The issues, policies and required actions in the West Philippine Sea transcend
the maritime security domain as these extend to other areas of concern such as
in the diplomatic, politico-legal, information, military and law enforcement, and
socio-economic fields," Aquino added.

He cited several constitutional provisions, among them, Section 7, Article II of the

Constitution "that provides that national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national
interest, and the right to self determination are paramount considerations of the
Philippines in its relations with the international community."

Aquino also cited the constitutional provision mandating the Armed Forces of the
Philippines "to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national
territory" and the duty of the government "to protect the nation's marine wealth in
its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone" for sole use
of its citizens.

Members, functions

The body will have as regular members representatives from the following
departments and offices:
  Department of Foreign Affairs
 Department of National Defense
 Department of Justice
 Department of the Interior and Local Government
 Department of Environment and Natural Resources
 Department of Energy
 Department of Agriculture
 Department of Trade and Industry
 Department of Transportation and Communications
 Department of Finance
 National Economic and Development Authority
 National Coast Watch System
 Armed Forces of the Philippines
 Philippine National Police - Maritime Group
 Philippine Coast Guard
 Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The task force chair may also seek out other government officials and private
citizens. The National Security Council will provide administrative and technical
support to the task force.

The NTF-WPS will receive guidance from the president, through the cabinet
cluster on security, justice, and peace.

It will be responsible for tapping the government agencies in achieving

Philippines objectives in the West Philippine Sea, and will give reports and
recommendations to the Chief Executive through the cabinet security cluster.

The NTF-WPS, which will assume the functions of the Inter-Agency Committee
on the West Philippine Sea, will create an area-level task force (ATF) which will
synchronize the efforts of the different government agencies at the area level.
The ATF may also organize tactical-level task forces.