Foreigners who wish to play at any of the golf courses located within the camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will have to comply with stricter clearance policies set by the military.

This was confirmed by Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP Public Affairs Office, who said that foreign nationals seeking to access recreational facilities within military camps must first secure the appropriate visit clearance in accordance with existing AFP policies.

Trinidad said the rules apply to foreigners intending to play at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course located inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the headquarters of the AFP; the Villamor Air Base Golf Couse in Pasay City; the Philippine Navy and Philippine Army golf courses in Taguig City, the Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Quezon City, and Fernando Air Base golf course in Lipa City. 

He explained that the golf course management in these public courses recently began strictly enforcing the policy on visit clearance for foreign nationals entering camp facilities.

Under the guidelines, foreign visitors must obtain proper authorization before they can enter the military installation, including for recreational activities such as golf.

The AFP said the stricter enforcement forms part of internal security measures within military camps.

“These measures are part of internal security protocols within military camps and are intended to ensure the safety and integrity of AFP installations,” Trinidad said.

Camp Aguinaldo houses the General Headquarters of the AFP and other key military offices, making access to the facility subject to established security regulations.

The remarks were issued by the AFP amid rumors circulating on social media that Chinese nationals have been barred from accessing golf courses supervised by the military following the discovery of Filipino "spies" working with Chinese citizens.

The Philippine Army (PA) earlier clarified that foreigners are not prevented from accessing recreational facilities inside military camps but it noted that stricter clearance rules were implemented as part of heightened security measures.