WesWorld

January 18th 1940 The Filipino Government today gave notice to the other members of Satsuma of their intend to leave the Allliance with an effective day of November 1st 1940.

Dun de dun dun dun!

A not unsurprising move but doubtless some Western powers will wonder what is going on. Certainly now as a nation it can forge its own path in the region.

April 9th 1940 The Foreign Office today announced that effectively Jul 1st 1940 Philippines will extend their territorial waters to 12 miles instead of the current 3 miles. Asked of the why of this the spokeperson indicated "The need to protect fisheries and national resources demanded this change. " He later stated that they were only following the precedent of the Russian Federation in 1921.

Is the Philippines addressing the concept of territorial seas at all, or just territorial waters? If memory serves, the Philippines has some special exceptions for territorial seas.

Edit: yes, the Philippines has some special exceptions to account for the Sulu Sea.

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Is the Philippines addressing the concept of territorial seas at all, or just territorial waters? If memory serves, the Philippines has some special exceptions for territorial seas.

Edit: yes, the Philippines has some special exceptions to account for the Sulu Sea.

I was willing to negotiate that with the Dutch/British and announce special exceptions later. You just spoiled my negotiations but pretty much, yes.

And the concept is territorial waters.

Ah, oops.

As I understand it, the Philippines kinda has an odd situation with regard to territorial waters as they don't always fall under the same situation as most other states, what with waters inside the archipelago that are theoretically outside the nominal twelve-mile-zone, yet can only be reached through that zone. I expect Indonesia has some cases like that as well.

Given the political changes in the Philippines and the willingness to leave Satsuma Britain is willing to talk.

June 8th 1940 It was announced today that Philippines, Great Britain and the Netherlands reached an agreement in regard to the extension of Filipino territorial waters to 12 miles. Great Britain and Philippines agreed that in areas that their claims overlap the distance will be divided in three equal parts, with an open sea area of equal size to the ones recognized to each nation separating their claims. Netherlands agreed to a similar deal in separate negotiations.

Jul 1st 1940 The Filipino Government today announced the extension of their territorial waters to 12 miles except for certain "Special Cases."

Quoted

Originally posted by perdedor99
Jul 1st 1940 The Filipino Government today announced the extension of their territorial waters to 12 miles except for certain "Special Cases."

Germany does not recognize the unilateral extension of Philippine territorial waters beyond the three mile limit.

Great Britain fully recognises the new 12 mile limit. In view of the political changes over the last few months Britain is willing to help the Phillippines to make a secure place for itself in the Pacific.

Inside Filipino 12-mile Territorial Waters, 07:39hrs, July 19th 1940

Lt Garcia scanned the horizon and noticed the three fishing boats. He knew probably this hard working folk have fished in these waters for generations but now it had changed by the ink of a pen. Garcia wasn’t a politician, his orders been clear; any ship found fishing inside territorial waters will be escorted out and if resistance encountered ships will be taken. That those orders were not been enforced so far wasn’t his concern.

The small fisheries protection ship Tabano went to the three ships and in order requested to each one of them to please allow to be escorted out of territorial waters. The fishermen have no other option that to obey, the 57mm gun and the MG of the Tabano aimed at their general direction in all instances. After all ships were escorted out Lt. Garcia congratulated himself for a job well done.

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Unknown to him at the time the Chinese and Filipino Governments were negotiating a deal similar to the one reached between the British Government and Philippines. The actions of a young zealous officer torpedoed those talks.

somewhere near the Philippines, 07:45hrs, July 19th 1940

"What the hell is going on ???? All our ancestors were already fishing in these waters and now it is forbidden for us ?"
cursed the captain of the chinese fishing trawler. "Sailor, bring the nets back on board. We have to leave the waters."

meanwhile up in the air above on board of a CONDOMINIUM FORCE patrol flight

"Dragon 4 to base. We see a philippine patrolship escorting three chinese fishing trawlers. Apparently they have forced our
ships with their guns so the fishermens have to return. We could stay here for only 15 minutes before we have to return to
the Condominium. Any new instructions ?"

"Base to Dragon 4. Keep your eyes on the ships. We will send a note to the HQ."

The events of July 19th put the Filipino government on a bind. Their position was tenuous at best; the Civil War was still fresh in the memory of many, they were elected by a very small majority in the last election plus the presidential elections were going to be celebrated in November. After deliberations President De la Vega decided to support the actions of the young naval LT. and it was decided to start a policy of escorting out any unauthorized fishing vessel inside the new territorial waters.

The weeks following the 19th of July were tense. Chinese fishermen continued to violate the Filipino waters on a continued basis, with the same response by the Filipino fleet in all occasions; to escort the ships out of the 12-mile area. But the Chinese Government decided to raise the ante. On August 3rd 1940 two Chinese fishing trawlers entered Filipino waters but this time they have company. By fate again the young Lt. Garcia was the man that brought change to the Philippines.

OOC: Thanks parador for the writeup with small modifications by me.

Undisclosed location, 0507hrs, August 3rd 1940

Lt Garcia shook his head while staring at the small ship ahead …Chinese fishermen again in our territory? Are they are not getting tired of being expelled?

Lt. Garcia turned to his XO. “Make sure that we can listen to radio communications. Permission to radio the fishing boat is granted. Our radio operator should alert the Chinese crew that they will be escorted out of Filipino territorial waters. Also make sure they understand that any resistance will be responded with force.”

Minutes later, Lt. Garcia heard his radio-operator sending a message to the suspected Chinese vessel: “Attention, attention, I'm calling the unidentified chinese fishing trawler. This is the fisheries protection vessel Tabano of the Filipino Navy calling on the international channel nine. Respond immediately! Over!”

“Fisheries protection vessel Tabano, here is the chinese fishing boat Wu Chin on channel nine. We hear you loud and clear. Over.” Was the response on the radio.

“Fishing boat Wu Chin”, said the radio operator, »You are in violation of Filipino territorial waters, which prohibit any private or commercial exploration in this area without previous permission. You are hereby directed to immediately dismantle all equipment and to leave this area. This will be your only warning! We expect immediate acknowledge and be allowed to be escorted out. Over.”

“Fisheries protection vessel Tabano, we are only fishing”, replied a young and relaxed-sounding new voice.”Fishing activities are allowed in international waters. We know of no claims by Philippines in respect of this region.”

“Fishing trawler Wu Chin, unauthorized fishing in these waters are a direct threat to economic interests of the Philippines”, answered the Tabano’s radio operator. “These ship instructions are to escort you out of Filipino territorial waters. Acknowledge compliance or deal with the consequences.”

The response from the fishing boat was only silence.

“Short-wave communication from the fishing trawler Wu Chin, Sir”, said the radio operator to Lt. Garcia and his XO.

“Probably they are trying to reach other Chinese ships in the area.” Was the comment of the Tabano’s XO to Lt. Garcia.

“You’re probably right. Bring us closer to the Wu Chin. Maybe a little bit of a show of force will convince them to move on.” Was the response of Lt. Garcia.

OOC: Again by Parador with minor changes by me.


On board of the Chinese fishing trawler

“They are coming closer ...” said the helmsman of the Chinese trawler to his captain.

“Report to all Chinese ships in this area, the Filipinos are moving in our direction with the intent of boarding us.” said the captain to his radio operator. »Guys, pull the nets on board, we need to get out of here now.”

Under moaning and groaning the big old winch drew the nets slowly on board of the trawler, when all a sudden a big wave dangerously hit the ship. The shock and surprise of the crew was complete, with a couple of the sailors being washed overboard.

"Men overboard !!!" called the sailors towards the bridge.

Damn! Why now? cursed the captain and went to the cupboard to get the flare gun.

Desperately the crew members of the trawler were trying to get the swimming comrades back on board.

At the same time on board of the fisheries protection vessels Tabano

What are they doing? wondered Lt. Garcia “Helmsman, bring us within two hundred yards to the trawler. I would like to see more details.”

“Aye, Sir !”

Restless Lt. Garcia walked back and forth until he finally stopped on the left side of the bridge. They were only less than two hundred yards from the Chinese fishing trawlers, as the world seemed to explode for Lt. Garcia.

The engines had been "crying" every now and again, while the helmsman tried to hold the position. Lt. Garcia, who observed the whole situation with his binoculars, had been too distracted to hear the warning signal of the XO: "Water depth decreases! Depth of three meters ..... Depth of two meters .... Decreased depth!"

At the same the captain of the Chinese trawler shoot several flares to see his overboard sailors better. Lt. Garcia did not hear the warning signal of his XO. He rushed back to the bridge. "Sent to the HQ, we are being bombarded by the Chinese trawler ...."

"Lieutenant, the water depth!"

Suddenly the Tabano were offset by the flow and ran on a coral reef. As the ship heeled heavily to starboard, after this sudden stop no one on the bridge was left standing. The momentum drove the Tabano even more against the coral, and although the brittle calcium formations gave way under the heavy ship immediately, it was by the screech of steel, the howling of the wind, and the screams of surprised members of the crew, the impression that the end of the world is coming.

The XO screamed into the microphone: "Radio room, here is the bridge. Report to headquarters." And while the crunching and screeching continued, "Taking water, we ran onto a reef, damage aft ..."

The message that was sent by the frightened and confused radio operator to the HQ, was instead "HQ, here Tabano. We have taken water. Damaged and under attack..

Aww crud....

In a sense the message is correct. The reef is attacking the Tabano. Mind you, it's self defence.

OOC: By parador with minor changes by me


On Filipino ship Tabano

Lt. Garcia knew what he had to do and said with calm voice "Open fire!"

Not far from the Chinese trawler and the fishing protection vessel Tabano aboard the "HICMS Chang De":

Lieutenant Chow Ti U, the young commander of the Chang De, felt uncomfortable. He has assumed command of the ship recently, after it was purchased from the Indian Navy and modernized on Chinese shipyards. The disagreements between China and the Philippines began a few weeks ago and have increased steadily in the past few days after the Chinese declaration of a 12 mile Territorial border in August 1st.

Chow and his crew were convinced that it was only a matter of time before something happens, and the thought of an escalation of the dispute made a cold shiver ran down his spine.

"Distance to the nearest turning point?" Chow asked aloud.

His bridge crew followed its course apparently carefully, because the answer came immediately: "Captain, we are fourteen miles northeast of the Filipino coast. With daylight it would soon be in sight, Sir."

"Thank you" said Chow. "Fourteen miles .... On the edge of their claimed territorial waters. In contrast to the fishing boats he had no intention of challenging the claim by sailing closer to the coast. The area was disputed Filipino territory and his orders were not to escalate the situation while negotiations continued between their governments.

Nevertheless, he felt uncomfortable and nervous. Something was wrong ......

When he looked out the bridge, he saw on the horizon several flashes of light. What was this???? Hell, if the weather's would just be a bit better, he thought to himself.
Or was it just an illusion? No, there it was again. Clearly someone fired several flares in the stormy night.

"Chief. Someone needs our help." said Chow "even if we run into the Filipino waters, we must look what is going on."

"Course 150°. Full speed ahead !"

"Captain, we received a garbled message from one of our fishing boats from Taiwan. They are being attacked without warning and reason by a Filipino vessel."

Good reading so far.