MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), calling on all Filipinos for support and prayers, has vowed to continue defending the country’s territory amid China’s increasing aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement backing President Marcos’ latest declaration that the Philippines will not lose an inch of its territory, the military gave assurance that it is ready and will continue to carry out its mandate.
“Our troops are resolute in ensuring that the interests of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea are protected,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said yesterday.
“Guided by the President’s vision, which he emphasized in his message yesterday, our troops will always be ready to provide a safer, more peaceful and progressive country,” he added.
Marcos, in his speech to alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City on Saturday, said the Philippines “will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our Constitution and with international law.”
The commander-in-chief’s declaration comes days after the Philippine Coast Guard reported how a Chinese Coast Guard vehicle pointed a military-grade laser at one of its vessels bringing supplies to soldiers stationed at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal earlier this month.
“This country will not lose an inch of its territory,” he told PMA alumni, noting that the Philippines “has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals of peace and threaten the security and stability of the country.”
The military, responding to Marcos’ declaration, said it will continue to carry out its task of conducting maritime patrols in the WPS.
“Likewise, the AFP recognizes the need for all Filipinos to unite in facing external challenges and in advancing our national interest,” Aguilar said.
“We ask for their support and prayer as we, and our comrades in the Philippine Coast Guard, conduct maritime patrols to protect and preserve what rightfully belongs to us,” he added.
Aguilar stressed that “primordial in every action taken by the AFP is its constitutional duty to protect the people and the state.”
“It shall always be true and committed to its mission of safeguarding our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.