New AFP chief keeps mum on PH-China sea dispute

Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri was tight-lipped on West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute.

He made no direct mention of the territorial dispute, one of the military’s biggest concerns, on his assumption speech on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo.

His appointment as AFP chief comes amid China’s increasing aggression in the resource-rich sea and the Philippine military shifting to territorial defense.

“There is an arbitral hearing going on so I would not want to make any comment first on what actions the armed forces would do. Hintayin na lang muna natin yung arbitral hearing,” he told reporters after the turnover ceremonies.

A Philippine delegation is in The Hague in Netherlands for a presentation of its case to assert its claims in the disputed maritime superhighway.

They will present their case before the Arbitral Tribunal.

Iriberri also refused to answer other issues such as the steel markers with Chinese writings near Recto Bank (Reed Bank).

“I cannot discuss that. Napakaganda nung plea ni Foreign Secretary (Albert) del Rosario sa arbitral court. Siguro yun dapat ang isipin natin. Dun siguro dapat tayo tutututok kung ano ang hakbang ng ating gobyerno….Whatever the national policy is set by political leaders, we will execute it,” he said.

When asked if the military is capable of handling territorial defense, Iriberri said they have enough training for any scenario.

“We are training regardless of branch service, maging Navy ka man, Army or Air Force, everyone is fit to address those issues,” he said. AU