Navy takes charge of deliveries to Pagasa Island

Itu Aba Island, Wikipedia Photo

MANILA – The naval forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be designated to deliver supplies for military troops in the Pagasa island.

“The AFP can use its naval assets for the routine logistics run and transport of troops who are stationed there,” said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc’s statement pertains to the administration’s decision to hold the military airstrip improvements in the island.

“We wanted to maintain the moral high ground in light of the case we filed at the (UN) arbitration tribunal regarding the West Philippine Sea,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday.

“We chose… to ease tensions and avoid any incident that may be construed as ramping up tensions or trying to provoke any of the claimant countries,” she added.

The country has earlier dismayed China after asking the tribunal of the United Nations to declare Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) as an international law violation.

China is claiming almost all of the disputed seas, which overlaps in part with the claims of the countries like the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The disputed territory is seen as an important world trade avenue and is deemed vital in harnessing vast oil and gas reserves.

“The AFP respects the government’s position about the runway project,” Cabunoc said.