Opinion

Philippines’ new ‘maritime tsar’ keen to promote ties with China

New coastguard chief Joel Sarsiban Garcia has openly called for more cooperative relations with Beijing

Coastguard has emerged as a kingmaker, mediating between the seemingly contradictory positions of the Beijing-friendly civilian government and the US-trained armed forces

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Vessels from the Philippine and Chinese coastguards take part in a joint search and rescue exercise. Photo: AFP

Richard Javad Heydarian is an Asia-based academic, currently a Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Published: 6:00pm, 23 Nov 2019Updated: 8:19pm, 23 Nov 2019

“We are confident that the [new] commandant, a man of vast knowledge, competence and integrity, will continue to lead and advance the [Philippine Coast Guard] to greater heights,” said Philippine presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, hailing the country’s incoming “maritime tsar”.

The country’s newly appointed commandant, vice-admiral Joel Sarsiban Garcia, who replaced Admiral Elson Hermogino in late October, is an unorthodox official. Carrying a slew of postgraduate degrees, he is outspoken, spirited and often waxes scholarly on matters of maritime international law with passionate certitude.

Crucially, he also stands out for his open and controversial support for maritime cooperation, rather than strategic confrontation, with China. Garcia’s appointment is even more significant in light of his elevation as the Philippines’ de facto “maritime tsar”.

Amid rising maritime tension between Manila and rival claimant states in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has been tasked with protecting the Southeast Asian’s country’s sovereign rights in the disputed area.

Garcia’s ascent has coincided with three important developments, which have major implications for Philippine-China relations. First of all, the PCG’s rapid transformation into an increasingly capable and self-confident law enforcement agency.