The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has slammed the proposal of Senator Robin Padilla to use the agency’s budget and equipment to retaliate against China’s water cannoning activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a nearly five-minute video statement, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the Coast Guard cannot respond to the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions by using water cannons, stressing that restraint is necessary to prevent a dangerous rise in hostilities.
Tarriela explained that responding with force is not an act of courage but a move that could give China justification to intensify its aggression. He emphasized that China is actively looking for opportunities to blame the Philippines for any increase in tension in the West Philippine Sea.
"Alam natin na ang China ay naghahanap ng paraan para maisisi sa atin ang pagtaas ng tensyon sa West Philippine Sea," he said.
“The moment we use our water cannons, the Chinese Coast Guard may have a justification to increase their aggression to the next level. Maaaring mas mataas na tensyon ang kanilang susunod na gawin at isisi sa atin ang kanilang agresibong response,” he added.
Tarriela acknowledged public frustration over the repeated incidents of water cannoning, particularly those affecting PCG vessels, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Filipino fishermen.
“Hindi ito dala ng karuwagan, subalit ito ay pagpapakita ng kanilang propesyonalismo at pag-unawa sa kung ano ang mas strategic action against China's bullying behavior,” Tarriela said.
He said the anger felt by ordinary Filipinos is shared—if not felt more deeply—by Coast Guard personnel on the frontlines.
However, he stressed that PCG personnel are required to exercise restraint and maintain professionalism despite provocation.
Tarriela also questioned the strategic value of retaliating with water cannons, noting that PCG vessels are often surrounded by three to five larger Chinese ships.
“Kung ang paggamit ng water cannon ay magiging dahilan para itaas ng China ang kanilang agresyon, hindi ba't mas logical to evade their bullying and proceed to a safer location?” he said.
He further clarified that water cannons are intended for humanitarian and safety purposes, such as firefighting at sea, and not for harming people or damaging vessels.
"Ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat ay dahil kinikilala natin ang tamang paggamit ng water cannon. Ito ay para makapagligtas ng buhay, hindi para manakit ng kapwa-tao at manira ng ibang barko. Ang ating mga water cannons ay nakareserba lamang sa makatao at mapayapang layunin, tulad ng pagresponde sa mga sunog sa dagat at iba pang mga insidente katulad nito," Tarriela noted.
The PCG’s position aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has emphasized that the Philippines will not resort to illegal or aggressive actions that could heighten tensions in the WPS.
Padilla earlier said during the Senate plenary session on Monday to use the agency’s budget to buy more stronger water cannons and use it against China.
It comes after Padilla condemned the use of caricatures of Chinese President Xi Jinping by Tarriela, saying the images appeared to mock the Chinese leader.
