Officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are prepared to give their lives, if necessary, to defend the country’s territory and sovereign rights, including areas within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the Kalayaan Island Group, according to a senior Philippine Navy official.
“The mere fact that we wear the uniform, we swore to protect this country from all threats, domestic and foreign. It goes without saying if and when the ultimate sacrifice is necessary, we expect the AFP to perform its mandate regardless of the cost,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Trinidad emphasized that the AFP’s mandate to protect national sovereignty is clearly defined under the Constitution and governs all military operations related to territorial defense. This includes safeguarding the Philippines’ maritime entitlements up to the 200-nautical-mile EEZ and the regime of islands encompassing the Kalayaan Island Group.
“I would like to leave their statements as they are. As far as the AFP is concerned, napakaliwanag ng ating mandato and this is stated in the Constitution itself. We know the limits of the Philippine territory. It is our mandate to protect national sovereignty, to ensure the integrity of the national territory all the way up to our 200 nautical mile EEZ and the regime of islands covering KIG and to look after the welfare of the Filipino people,” Trinidad explained.
He further noted that AFP personnel remain focused on their mission and are not swayed by political discourse surrounding territorial issues. He said the troops are trained to distinguish between political discussions and their duty to secure and protect the nation’s territory and people.
Trinidad also underscored that the AFP has consistently carried out its mandate over the years, often without public recognition. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by the armed forces, including the loss of lives in the line of duty.
“We have performed this mandate for many years, we have proven it time and again without fanfare, without questions asked of our patriots, our comrades have laid down the ultimate sacrifice and this is the mandate that we have sworn to protect, to perform, we will keep performing it,” he said.
The Philippines and China remain locked in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, including the areas referred to by the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled that China’s expansive claims, based on the so-called nine-dash line, had no legal basis. Despite this, China has continued to reject the ruling.
Malacañang and the AFP have repeatedly stated that the country will not surrender any part of its territory to foreign powers. Military officials have reaffirmed that the armed forces remain ready to fulfill their duty to defend the nation.
