New radar system confirms exactly what officials will take no action on

Better Visibility, Same Outcome

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard unveiled a new long-range radar system Tuesday capable of detecting vessels in the West Philippine Sea at distances up to 200 nautical miles, giving authorities significantly more notice of intrusions they will observe, document, protest diplomatically, and then watch continue indefinitely.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Rodel Watchful called the upgrade “a game changer for our situational awareness and our ability to write strongly worded notes.”

Capabilities of the New System

The radar can identify vessel type, flag, and approximate tonnage at extended range, allowing coast guard officers to confirm in greater detail what has been happening anyway. Officials say the system will produce clearer photographs of incidents for reports that will be “filed at the highest levels and actioned with the full weight of diplomatic consideration,” a phrase that has appeared in every coast guard press release since 2016.

“Before, we could see them at 80 miles,” said Petty Officer Jun Hinagap. “Now we see them at 200. We then radio a protest. They do not answer. But now we protest from further away, which feels like progress.”

Diplomatic Context

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a formal protest has been filed and is being reviewed. A follow-up protest concerning the first protest’s lack of response has been drafted. A protest about the draft protest is pending legal review. The Philippine Coast Guard said the new radar would make all of this paperwork significantly better-informed.

SOURCE: https://bohiney.com