MANILA, Philippines — A top-ranking official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the military will maintain a maritime presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid a reported law being drafted by China that will allow its coast guard to use weapons on foreign ships in Chinese-claimed reefs.
“Our duty is very clear: To protect the people and secure the sovereignty and integrity of our national territory. We will remain in the area for maritime domain awareness and maritime presence,” AFP deputy chief of staff Rear AdmiralErick Kagaoan told a panel of the Commission of Appointments on Thursday.
He and 59 other AFP senior officials are up for confirmati…
Keep on reading: Amid China law allowing use of weapons vs foreign ships, AFP to have presence in WPS