Military to keep presence in WPS

THE Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) will maintain its presence in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) despite its non-participation in naval drills, Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay said.

Gapay gave the assurance in a television interview on Friday night after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a suspension of the exercises except in areas within the country’s 12-mile zone.

He, however, said that “it doesn’t mean we’re backing down in our claim and in protecting our sovereignty in the area.”

“On the contrary, we didn’t receive any orders to stop patrolling the area both naval and air patrols,” Gapay said.

The Armed Forces chief said Duterte’s directive was a “political decision” and “we [the military] abide by that.”

But Gapay said this was as “far as the drills beyond our national territory” was concerned, adding the country still has unilateral local drills within 12 miles of its territories.

Source: TheManila Times