EMBASSY
EU GIVES PHL EYES AT SEA
Europe is giving the Philippines P1 billion in surveillance equipment to spot ships at sea. But can Manila stop them?
The European Union has approved €15 million, or roughly P1 billion, to help the Philippines keep track of ships in its vast waters, including those where Chinese vessels have repeatedly challenged Philippine maritime rights.
The money will pay for coastal radars, surveillance cameras and equipment capable of detecting radar signals, giving the Philippine Navy more information about vessels operating at sea.
The package, approved in July following Manila’s request last year, was discussed again during Philippine-EU security talks this month.
It marks the EU’s first military assistance package for the Philippines under the European Peace Facility, which supports the defense capabilities of partner countries.
The assistance comes as Manila struggles to patrol an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, with limited ships, aircraft and monitoring equipment to cover enormous stretches of ocean.
In the West Philippine Sea, Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels have repeatedly confronted Philippine patrols, blocked resupply missions and interfered with Filipino fishermen.
The new equipment could help Philippine authorities detect such activity earlier and document encounters more effectively. It will not, however, give them the means to drive Chinese ships away.