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The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), General Gilbert Gapay, during a confirmation hearing before a panel of the Appointments Commission on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 (Alex NuevaEspaña / Senado PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines – The government’s “soft approach” in dealing with problems related to the South China Sea does not mean the Philippines is “abandoning” its territorial claims in the area, the country’s top military official said.
Facing a panel from the Appointments Commission (CA) on Wednesday, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said the country continues to defend its claim on the highly controversial waterway.
“While we strictly adhere to a diplomatic, peaceful and rule-based approach in dealing with the problems in the South China Sea, this soft approach means that we are abandoning our claim in that area,” Gapay told lawmakers.
“We still have them,” he added.
The country’s military presence in the area shows that it is defending its sovereignty in the Western Philippine Sea, according to the AFP chief.
“[It’s] testimony that we are defending sovereignty and we are affirming ownership, sovereignty in that territory, “he said.
Gapay said the Philippine military continues to deploy its naval forces in the South China Sea, particularly in the country’s territorial waters.
“We have forces deployed there and they are patrolling our territorial waters frequently and regularly,” he said.
Previously, China urged the Philippines to stop its “illegal provocations” as it accused Manila of allegedly violating Beijing’s security and sovereignty by sending military aircraft near the Spratly Islands.
LEE: China insists on ‘Spratlys ours’, affirms ‘rights’ of Chinese fishermen
But Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has already said the Philippines will not cease patrol operations near Spratlys.
Military activity in SCS
China has long been pressing for its expansive claims in the South China Sea, refusing to acknowledge the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated the ambitious nine-stroke line of Beijing.
China’s recovery activities and militarization on the hotly contested waterway have also raised concerns about peace and stability in the area.
According to Gapay, AFP has satellite images proving the existence of Chinese military installations in the disputed region.
“There is an airstrip there, we have also monitored some military aircraft landing there, warships docking there. In fact, there is military activity in the area, ”he said.
Gapay added that the government continues to address China’s aggression diplomatically.
The Philippine army is also in constant coordination with its counterparts in Southeast Asia “through a multilateral action in protest against this aggressiveness of China in the area,” according to the AFP chief.
“We have been following this diplomatic path, but we are supporting this by maintaining a naval presence in the area, particularly in our territorial waters,” he added.
KGA
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