AFP: Phl not stirring up trouble in WPS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) again slammed China yesterday for claiming anew that it is Manila that is stirring up or provoking trouble in the West Philippine Sea.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

"We are not stirring up trouble. We are following international law and we are implementing our domestic law," military spokesman Col.

Medel Aguilar said in a public briefing over state-run PTV 4.

He issued the statement in reaction to fresh claims by China's state media alleging that it is the Philippines that is starting problems in the West Philippine Sea, is spreading wrong or false information and is even involving other foreign forces in doing so.

Aguilar maintained that the AFP operates within the country's territorial waters inside its exclusive economic zone, where the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

"We are acting in accordance with law, we are not engaging in maritime activities that put others in danger, like what they are doing," he countered, emphasizing that it is, in fact, the other way around.