US-donated comm tower in Zambales sparks mixed reactions from fishers
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES—Fishermen in this province, who have lost access to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, were divided on the impact of the new communications and monitoring tower donated recently by the United States to boost the country’s surveillance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The tower, strategically located on Mount Calib-ungan in Barangay Porac of Botolan town in Zambales, will offer extensive radio coverage, facilitating easier communication with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, particularly those conducting patrol operations at Panatag and nearby areas.
Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, expressed optimism about the new facility, describing it as a “significant development for our country’s security.”
“In the past, maritime incidents went unnoticed because we lacked the necessary technology,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday.But Bobby Roldan, vice chair for Luzon of the fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, argued that the PCG should maintain its independence and reject foreign attempts to build military bases in the Philippines.
US base again?
“The US-donated monitoring tower could be a precursor to a new US naval base, reminiscent of the Subic Naval Base. Similar posts have already been established in Palawan to monitor Chinese activities in the WPS,” Roldan said in a separate interview.
Roldan said Philippine authorities could effectively monitor foreign activities through regular patrols in territorial waters.
He criticized the inconsistent presence of maritime authorities in the disputed WPS, which “leaves fisherfolk vulnerable to accidents and harassment.”
Pamalakaya has also raised concerns about military agreements with foreign nations, which allow ongoing military exercises in the Philippines.Roldan warned that these agreements could escalate tensions and endanger Filipino fishermen.
“Strengthening military ties with the US makes it increasingly difficult for Filipino fishermen to return to the Chinese-occupied Scarborough Shoal peacefully,” he said.
Pamalakaya-Zambales coordinator Joey Marabe also cautioned that the newly signed Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan would further militarize the WPS, to the detriment of Filipino civilians, especially fishermen.
“Our call is for the demilitarization of the WPS to pave the way for peaceful resolution and dialogue, not additional foreign troops that will only exacerbate tensions,” Marabe said.
The group criticized the Philippines’ military pact with Japan, along with continued US military intervention, for undermining peaceful dialogue and diplomatic resolutions.
“The Marcos Jr. administration is not pursuing a peaceful solution regarding the tension in our ocean but is instead entangling the country in a looming armed confrontation between powerful nations,” said Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya national vice chair.
