THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will reinforce troops and improve the structures and facilities in the islands located in the disputed West Philippine Sea following a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, AFP chief of staff Eduardo Año said Friday.
"That's an order from the President and I intend to carry that out. Atin naman yan per arbitration ruling so we don’t see any problem," said Año.
Año said there were a total of eight islands, which belongs to the Philippines in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) in addition to the Ayungin Shoal, while the others were occupied by the China, Vietnam and other neighboring countries.
The military official said there were submerged lands and rocks in the said area, which belongs to the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the AFP can put up structures where the troops can stay.
Año refused to give the location of these areas for security reasons.
On Thursday, during his visit at the AFP's western command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Duterte ordered the military to claim the island in the disputed West Philippine Sea by constructing and enhancing facilities there and raise the Philippine flag.
"We tried to be friends with everybody but we have to maintain our jurisdiction now, at least the areas under our control," he said.
"It seems that there's an island dispute and what's ours now should be claimed by us and we should make a strong point there that it's ours," Duterte added.
He said he might personally in those areas to raise the Philippine flag. (SunStar Philippines)