Observe patrol flights, House urged

Aside from calls for a congressional probe into China’s alleged jamming of internet signals in the West Philippine Sea, a House leader said lawmakers should observe maritime domain awareness flights.

House Committee on Public Accounts Chairman and Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon made the statement on Saturday.

“House members should also participate as observers in maritime domain awareness flights conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard to better understand on-the-ground realities of the West Philippine Sea dispute, the risks faced by personnel and civilians, and the operational requirements for sustained presence and protection,” Ridon said.

Ridon said China’s alleged disruption of internet signals within Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea warrants congressional scrutiny.

He said Congress should investigate reported Chinese cyber activities in the area, including alleged jamming or disruption of internet and communications services around Bajo de Masinloc.

Ridon was reacting to a Facebook post by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, who reported alleged signal jamming during patrols.

Tarriela said not only Starlink systems aboard vessels were affected, but also internet connections on aircraft, particularly during a flight by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc on 18 February.

The connection was reportedly lost and displayed a message stating that Starlink service was not available in the country.

The signal was restored only after the aircraft moved 13 nautical miles away from Bajo de Masinloc, and Tarriela said a similar incident occurred the following day.

He said the incidents indicate that China jammed the signals and likely established a geofence designating Bajo de Masinloc as part of its territory.

Ridon said the proposed House probe should also cover other areas where the Philippines exercises sovereignty and sovereign rights.

“The inquiry should examine impacts on fisherfolk, maritime safety, disaster response and the operations of civilian and government vessels, and identify agency capability gaps and needed countermeasures,” he said.

He added that lawmakers should play a bigger role in gathering information about the realities in the West Philippine Sea.