Baerbock made the assurance as she met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo at the palace and later on the same day officials she expressed concern over the rising tensions between the Philippines and China in the disputed waterways.
The Philippine Coast Guard already has two Trinity F90+ drones given in 2022 by Germany through the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).
The additional four or more units, part of a €129 million (P7.9 billion) assistance from the German government, will be used in the coast guard’s operations in the West Philippine Sea, disaster response and relief operations, maritime surveillance for drug interdiction, and illegal fishing operations.
At the same time, it will be useful in providing imagery for reconnaissance purposes and generate high – resolution maps intended for oil spill rapid damage assessment or a quick survey of an area of interest for possible unlawful acts at sea.
“I’m delighted that we want to continue this cooperation in the coastal areas, not only with regards to additional drones, but also when it comes to training and regional cooperation. This strengthens maritime security and it strengthens the rules-based international order. We have also talked about how important it is that we act together worldwide, standing up for clear rules, for the …. of nations.”
Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister
The German diplomat said the China Coast Guard’s use of lasers and water cannons against Philippine vessels was a “concern” even for European countries because “such risky maneuvers violate the rights and opportunities for economic development of your country and other states as well.”
According to her, such actions “also call into question the freedom of navigation…in an area through which one-third of global maritime trade is shipped.”
“There are truly rushed winds blowing in the South China Sea and this is happening in the middle of one of the most economic regions of the world,” said Baerbock.
“I’m saying this also as a representative of a country for which international trade and freedom of navigation are key both in terms of economic policy but also in a security dimension,” she added.
In December last year, the central government accused China of harassment and ramming while the Philippine Coast Guard conducted a resupply mission to a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal.
China has competing claims in the South China Sea with the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.
“The UNCLOS speaks a clear language. As you have mentioned before, the ruling of the arbitral tribunal has already been crystal clear in 2016. Such claims are not covered by International law,” she said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“It is now important to set up mechanisms to solve tensions together in a peaceful way. Germany will be happy to support this and help in building trust which is so important, and also help prevent escalation this way,” Baerbock added.
At the PCH headquarters, Baerbock informed Filipino coast guard officials Germany that it will be offering “concrete training programs” for personnel in the frontline dealing with China’s maritime harassment.
“Germany will be happy to support this and help building trust, which is important and also will help prevent escalation in this way,” she said.
Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, PCG commandant, said the foreign diplomat discussed with him their additional support for the development of drones as well as training opportunities to broaden their skills.
“It is important to us that we have the big economies with us that give us support so that we can maintain the rules-based and peaceful order for the peace of the whole world,” said Gavan.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told Baerbock he is planning to visit Berlin, Germany in March 2024.
Marcos said his office has been in contact with the German Embassy in Manila over the past few months to arrange a visit to Germany.
“Your Embassy… we’ve been driving them a little crazy. We keep moving things, because things have been coming up. But I think we’ve come down to the March 12th date, and so I can commit to that now,” Marcos Jr. told Baerbock.
More than 60,000 Filipinos are living in Germany, mostly working in the medical sector and marine-based industries.
