With the start of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the ASEAN Security Task Force (ASTF) sternly warned militant groups against staging fluvial protests on No Sail Zones during the event.
Speaking during the recently concluded press briefing in Pasay City, Lt. Jomark U. Angue, Spokesperson of Task Unit (TU) on Maritime Security, said that motorized bancas are designed for fishing and not suitable for carrying passengers.
“Umaapila ako sa mga may-ari ng motor banca, huwag na po kayong makipagsapalaran baka malagay sa alanganin ang mga buhay ng inyong mga pasahero lalo na kung hindi naman sila mga swimmer,”Angue said.
The TU on Maritime Security is one of the composite teams of the ASTF tasked to conduct regular patrols and surveillance on waters near the venue of the ASEAN summit and other activities.
Angue said that while they have not received any request for clearance on the conduct of fluvial protest parades, reports reached their office that some leftist groups are purportedly preparing 50 bancas for the conduct of said protests on the waters near the ASEAN Summit venue.
He added that apart from the high risk of incurring sea accidents, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will apprehend all types of vessels including motor vehicles which will be spotted sailing on designated No Sail Zones during the international event.
“Once you are spotted riding in a motor banca or joining the fluvial protests, we will not think twice to apprehend you. Your bancas will be impounded and the banca owners will have to pay penalties,” Angue said.
A public advisory was previously announced that the vicinity waters of H2O Hotel, Manila to OKADA Hotel, New Seaside Drive in Paranaque City are designated as No Sail Zones since Sunday, November 5 up to November 16. During this period, no vessel of any kind shall be allowed to pass through.
During the same period, the shoreline from H2O Hotel to the mouth of Pasig River are designated as controlled zones where all vessels coming in and out of the shoreline will be escorted by PCG patrol boats. —DILG-PACS
