A ranking naval official on Monday said no part of the country's territory, including areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), will be given up as long as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains on watch.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the AFP and its three services have never shirked their duty in carrying out their mandate.

“Constitutional mandate of the AFP is to protect national sovereignty, secure the integrity of the national territory and look after the welfare of the Filipino people,” Trinidad said. “Throughout history, the Armed Forces has never wavered in performing this mandate and we have proven it time and again.”

Trinidad added that the extent of the national territory they have sworn to protect is defined in the Constitution and includes Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

“Guided by a policy of 'not giving up one square inch' and a matching strategy of comprehensive archipelagic defense, your AFP will continue performing its mandate (with) utmost professionalism and love for country,” he said.

Earlier, some groups reportedly suggested giving up the KIG, which consists of seven islands and two reefs in the WPS, as it lies outside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Among the seven islands in the KIG is Pag-asa Island, located 280 nautical miles northwest of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan town.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also on Monday reiterated the service's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of civilians living on Pag-asa Island.

He added that the PNP continues to work closely with other security agencies to protect residents on the island. Nartatez said coordination remains strong despite external developments surrounding the area.