By: Rahel-U
In the middle of China’s effort to boost up its presence in the West Philippines Sea or also known as South China Sea, Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang who is a newly-assigned AFP chief promised to support the Philippine soldiers in securing the country’s territories in the area. This statement was given during his first day as Armed Force Chief of the Philippines.
Catapang will be the head of the 125,000-strong military within the
nation said they they will not abandon west Philippine Sea Territories.
They would continue with their re-supply
operations and remain alert with its protection. The military will continue to monitor the latest happenings
in the West Philippine Sea and let Malacañang decide what to do for a better
plan.
“We will just maintain our presence because our mandate
is to protect our territorial interest in the area and we will find ways and
means to improve our re-supply to our soldiers there,” he told reporters in
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. He also added that the latest re-supply operation
in the West Philippines Sea has gone very well.
Seeing that the latest re-supply operation in the West
Philippines Sea has gone very well,
Catapang hope that things will go the same under his watch command. He also
said if the supply for their occupied islands is needed,
they will right away give their necessity.
Meanwhile, China affirms its territorial claim on West
Philippine Sea and has already positioned their ships in the several parts of the area counting those
that are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Catapang as expected as AFP chief at a time when the military
is turning its focus from internal security to territorial defense said the
military modernization force will be focused on territorial defense.
Source: philstar
