MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) is not anticipating any war or trouble in the West Philippine Sea, its spokesperson said Thursday.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, however, said the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines remain committed to defending the country’s sovereignty.
“We do not foresee any war with China at the moment, particulary in the West Philippine Sea, however the DND and AFP will always defend our sovereignty at all cost,” Andolong said.
“We are ready to carry out mandate, however, we will do so with whatever resources we have on hand, if that would be enough well and good, if it’s not we will leave it to chance but as I said we do not foresee any trouble,” he added.
Despite this challenge, Andolong said that the military will continue its patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
“Basta tayo tuloy tuloy (continuous) ang patrol, regardless if we are challenged or not, because that is the mandate of the AFP,” he added.
In a speech during a gathering of Visayas mayors in Cebu City Tuesday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier said trouble could erupt should China attempt to unilaterally exploit resources in the West Philippine Sea. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
