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64 patrols, other missions conducted in WPS Oct. 1 to 18

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
October 22, 2024, 1:34 pm Updated on October 22, 2024, 2:37 pm

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) naval and air units have carried out 64 patrols and other missions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), demonstrating the country's sovereignty in the vital waterway.

The missions included two sealift missions, 14 maritime patrols/sovereignty patrol, one maritime surveillance patrol, one medical evacuation and two rotation and resupply missions.

"From Oct. 1 to 18, our Navy and Air Force conducted 64 successful patrol missions to reinforce the security and sovereignty of our waters," it said in a statement Tuesday. "The AFP remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding our nation's maritime interests, especially in the WPS."

The AFP said naval and air force aircraft also conducted "four maritime air surveillance/intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, along with 40 maritime patrol."

No specific locations nor the naval and air assets used in these missions were identified for security reasons.

"These patrols strengthen our monitoring of activities in the WPS while ensuring seamless support for operations like maritime domain awareness, medical evacuation, and resupply missions," the AFP added.

CADC shift beefs up PH presence in WPS

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military's shift to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) has allowed the country to increase its posture in the disputed waters.

"I would like to say that the AFP, Navy, Air Force, and Army, we have already shifted, we have increased our posture in the WPS in accordance with the CADC," Trinidad said.

He said implementing the CADC is a long-term process which will be done in phases.

"The immediate reaction to that is again our shift of forces so I would say that the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Army, we have now increased our concentration, our focus, our emphasis on the external picture all the way up to the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone," he added.

When asked whether the increase in Philippine presence in the WPS has deterred Chinese aggression in the area, Trinidad said such a change in behavior needs to be assessed for a longer time.

"What is within our control is conducting our mandate, performing our mandate in the WPS," he added. (PNA)