AFP vows continued maritime rights defense

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would continue defending the country’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite China’s superior military capabilities, while agreeing that disputes should be handled through dialogue.

AFP special spokesperson for the WPS, retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said the military agreed with Vice President Sara Duterte’s position that dialogue was preferable in dealing with China, but stressed that this would not prevent the Philippines from asserting its rights.

“We are not fighting any country in the West Philippine Sea. We are simply standing up for the rights granted to us by law, our maritime entitlements, sovereignty and sovereign rights. This is the mandate of the Department of National Defense and the AFP,” Trinidad said at a press briefing Tuesday.

He said the Philippines was not claiming territory that did not belong to it and had not initiated the construction of artificial islands in the disputed waters.

Trinidad also urged Filipinos to support the government’s position, citing the 2016 arbitral ruling that upheld the country’s maritime entitlements.

“Every Filipino, every citizen of this country, has a moral obligation to stand up for our national interest, whether as an individual citizen, a government employee or an elected official,” he said.

On Duterte’s observation that the Philippines was militarily outmatched by China, Trinidad said the AFP would continue improving its capabilities.

“We have what we have. We are improving our capabilities. Given what we have, we are good. Given more, we could perform even better. But it will not stop the AFP from standing up for and supporting all our government officials who defend our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.