Jamaine Punzalan

Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177338350982820240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-52 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div><div> </div>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that the steep hike in oil prices had affected its operations, but underscored that the agency would continue to prioritize patrols in the West Philippine Sea.“I’d be lying kung sasabihin ko na hindi ito apektado sa kabuuang Coast Guard operation,” said Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.“The Commandant expresses his commitment na despite measures na mas matipid natin ang consumption ng fuel for the entire Coast Guard operations, ang ipra-priority pa rin natin of course is our vessels,” he told state television PTV.“Siguraduhing mayroon pa rin tayong nagpapatrolyang barko sa West Philippine Sea.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/13/another-big-time-oil-price-hike-looms-amid-us-israel-iran-war-0755">Another big-time oil price hike looms amid US, Israel-Iran war</a></div>The national government has been pushing executive agencies to cut costs as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to strangle global oil supply chains. Despite this, the PCG is scheduled to escort the latest <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/12/atin-ito-to-hold-4th-west-philippine-sea-civilian-mission-in-april-1522">“Atin Ito” civilian flotilla in April</a>, which seeks to assert the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, parts of which are claimed by China despite an international arbitral ruling favoring Manila.“This is a civilian convoy so we have to make sure that if they will be harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard or the Chinese maritime militia, at least the PCG can protect them and ensure their safety,” Tarriela said.“Sa nakaraang mga convoys na ginawa nila, the Chinese convoy really had a hard time to prevent them from attaining their objective na mapuntahan nila yung maritime features that they plan to go to,” he said.“It just goes to show na ang ating mga kababayang Pilipino… tumataas na ang kamalayan ng ating mga kababayan at pinapakita nila yung pagsuporta nila sa Armed Forces of the Philippines at sa Philippine Coast Guard and sa national government as a whole,” he said.The latest PCG efforts in the West Philippine Sea comes days after the agency admitted a data breach, exposing information about some of its operational staff patrolling the strategic waters.The PCG clarified that none of its personnel willfully disclosed the information, underscoring that a close associate of one of its officials obtained the data through <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/9/casual-convo-with-pcg-personnel-turns-into-alleged-espionage-case-1302https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/9/casual-convo-with-pcg-personnel-turns-into-alleged-espionage-case-1302">casual conversation.</a>PCG personnel are now mandated to undergo courses to avoid similar incidents in the future, the spokesperson said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that the steep hike in oil prices had affected its operations, but underscored that the agency would continue to prioritize patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said that the steep hike in oil prices had affected its operations, but underscored that the agency would continue to prioritize patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

Coast Guard to continue West PH Sea patrols despite oil prices shocks

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Coast Guard to continue West PH Sea patrols despite oil prices shocks

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 13, 2026 02:34 PM PHT

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Philippine Coast Guard

PCG

West Philippine Sea

oil price hike

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