The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday vowed its readiness to assist a government investigation on the alleged sand extraction in the country’s shoreline for West Philippine Sea reclamation activities.
In a message to Manila Standard, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military remains vigilant on issues affecting national security.
“Should the need arise, the AFP stands ready to provide any assistance and inter-agency coordination with relevant government bodies such as the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), PCG (Philippine Coast Guard, and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to identify individuals or groups involved in such activities,” Padilla said.
She also reiterated the military’s mandate to protect the integrity of Philippine’s national territory.
“Under the whole-of-nation approach, it is within the AFP’s mandate to protect the integrity of our national territory and prevent any actions that could pose a threat to our sovereignty, environment, and security,” she said.
The AFP likewise vowed to continue monitoring developments in the WPS and are prepared to extend support for further investigation into this matter.
Malacañang earlier said the individuals responsible for the extraction of sand from the country’s shoreline may be held liable for violating Philippine laws.
Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the sand dumping incident in the WPS is a violation of Republic Act (RA) 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and RA 120641 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
“Kung sino man po ang lumabag dito, maaari po silang kasuhan ng paglabag sa RA 7942 at RA 120641 (Anyone who violates this can be charged with violating RA 7942 and RA 120641),” Castro said.
Castro said the DENR would discuss the matter with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the Philippine Coast Guard.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the dredging and reclamation activities in Philippine waters.
Meanwhile, maritime officials, policy makers and experts in Southeast Asia will gather later this May to tackle open, secure and rules-based maritime order in the region. The three-day activity will happen from May 21 to 23.
The dialogue will identify ways ASEAN members can work together to overcome issues that hinder cooperation on shared areas of concern, re-converge each other’s interests in a rules-based regional order, and reinforce efforts to stabilize maritime environment in Southeast Asian waters.
Among the expected panelists are Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and National Security Council Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
