The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed no concern over the United States’ decision to reposition some of its military assets away from the South China Sea, citing the move as a response to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy on West Philippine Sea (WPS) said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains capable of defending itself, even as its long-standing treaty ally, the United States, shifts focus to the unfolding situation in the Middle East.
“The beauty of maritime power is that it is not static, it is dynamic,” Trinidad told reporters in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 17.
Trinidad also emphasized that the Navy does not limit its presence to a specific area within the country’s maritime domain, as it conducts continuous patrols across the entire archipelago.
“This is also the same approach of other navies, whether it is a conflict or potential hotspot. They move around their naval forces,” he noted.
Since June 13, Israel and Iran have exchanged missile strikes, resulting in the deaths of high-ranking officials and civilians, as well as significant property damage.
According to reports, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz was redirected from the South China Sea to the Middle East on Monday amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
“That is all part and parcel of having a naval force. We move them around where they are needed, when they are needed,” Trinidad said when asked about the US military’s strategy.
“But it has no effect on our maritime security in the West Philippine Sea,” the admiral added.
