The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty, including providing support to protect Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“The AFP will continue performing its mandate of securing the integrity of our country,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said Wednesday, when asked to comment on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure the safety of Filipino fishers in the WPS.
Mr. Marcos gave the order after the Dec. 12 incident, where China Coast Guard ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk in Escoda Shoal in the WPS, injuring three of them.
Trinidad said aside from conducting missions to protect Philippine territorial integrity, the AFP will “continue to support the PCG, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and other government agencies in protecting the livelihood of our fisherfolk.”
He added that the military will also continue to engage with like-minded nations that support Manila’s stance in the WPS.
Also known as Sabina Shoal, Escoda Shoal is located approximately 75 nautical miles, or roughly 140 kilometers, off Palawan.
