Coast Guard respects Locsin’s rejection of a CG attache in Beijing

August 26, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard respects the decision of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rejecting its request to create a Coast Guard attaché post at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

"While the PCG believes that the establishment of said post will significantly strengthen maritime cooperation between the Philippines and China, PCG spokesperson, Commodore Armand Balilo said the service fully respects the decision of (Foreign) Secretary  (Teodoro) Locsin on the matter at hand and will continue to find ways to further secure the country’s maritime domain," the PCG said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to the PCG the request was approved during the time of former Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Elson Hermogino and recommended by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to the DFA on October 29, 2019.

"It was anchored on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the PCG and the China Coast Guard (CCG) on the establishment of the Joint Coast Guard Committee (JCGC) to strengthen mutual trust, deepen confidence, intensify communication, and enhance friendly cooperation between two countries," the PCG said.

It also explained that "the PCG endorsed the creation of a Coast Guard attaché post to serve as a focal person who shall directly coordinate and facilitate future bilateral and multilateral engagements with China in relation to the establishment of JCGC, specifically in the fields of maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection."

"Said purpose is also the foundation behind the recommendation to establish Coast Guard attaché posts in Malaysia and Indonesia because of the PCG’s active and relevant engagements with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA)," it added.

Locsin said designating a Coast Guard attaché in China is tantamount to conceding sovereignty over Philippine coastal waters.

“PH Coast Guard wants (its) own attaché in Beijing Embassy. Flat NO,” Locsin said in his Twitter post.

“We have a Defense attaché for national defense issues. A separate Coast Guard attaché means we concede exclusive sovereignty over our coastal waters so they are now subject to discussion instead of automatic protest,” Locsin added. Robina Asido/DMS