AFP preparing contingency plans in case of armed attacks in West PH Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Contingency plans are being crafted in case armed attacks transpire amid China’s continued incursion in the West Philippine Sea, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Captain Peter Jempsun de Guzman.

De Guzman made this statement on Tuesday during a joint Senate committee public hearing.

In the said inquiry, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa prodded de Guzman on how prepared the force would be if an event such as this occurred.

To this, de Guzman answered: “We will be ready when the time comes.”

“We are preparing the necessary contingency plans with the supervision of the Department of National Defense for all eventualities, especially in the ongoing missions in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The tension between China and the Philippines has increased following the August 5 water cannon incident in Ayungin Shoal. However, the latest aggression occurred when China Coast Guard vessels attempted to block Philippine vessels while moving towards BRP Sierra Madre for a resupply mission on September 8.

Dela Rosa then told the AFP official that if that time comes, the lawmakers present in the hearing are all willing to “carry weapons and join the force in fighting.”

“[If] that time comes, just call us —  Senators Robin Padilla, Francis Tolentino, Jinggoy Estrada, [and] Risa Hontiveros, we will go with you. We will carry weapons. We will fight there and we will join you,” dela Rosa added.

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