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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP troops ready to lose life, limb in protecting WPS – spox

AFP troops ready to lose life, limb in protecting WPS – spox

Published Jul 29, 2025 02:56 pm
(File photo/MANILA BULLETIN)
(File photo/MANILA BULLETIN)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be relentless in upholding the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China’s increasing assertiveness, a ranking official disclosed Tuesday, July 29.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS, said it is clear to the military that it has to keep performing its mandate of securing the national territory and protecting the integrity of the country’s sovereignty in the WPS.
“We will be resistant and unwavering against the aggressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party. In performing our mandate, the Armed Forces is prepared to sacrifice limb and life,” he declared, reminiscent of an incident where a Philippine Navy (PN) personnel lost his thumb after a ramming incident involving a Chinese vessel during a resupply mission of the AFP in June 2024.
Trinidad gave the remark when asked about President Marcos Jr.’s speech during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, where he mentioned that his administration’s foreign policy remains the same, which is that the Philippines “is a friend to all and an enemy to none.”
However, such foreign policy could be tested anew as China maintains its presence in several features within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, often driving away Filipino fishermen and obstructing Philippine resupply missions.
According to the Navy, there were 23 Chinese vessels monitored in the WPS from July 21 to 27.
Seven Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships and seven People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessels were spotted in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) during the period.
Meanwhile, four CCG ships and two PLA-N warships were recorded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. There was also one PLA-N warship in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal; and one CCG vessel and one PLA-N warship in Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.
Trinidad said the AFP, through the PN and Philippine Air Force (PAF), will increase its maritime domain awareness (MDA) operations in the WPS if only to ensure that not an inch of the country’s territory will be ceded to any foreign power under the administration of Marcos.
“We do not count the cost when we conduct air surveillance flights, maritime patrols and even foot patrols in our hinterlands. We do not count the cost when we conduct HADR [humanitarian assistance and disaster response] activities in furtherance of our mandate to secure the welfare of the Filipino people. Your Armed Forces is prepared to sacrifice, pay even the ultimate sacrifice in furtherance of this mandate,” he said.

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