The situation in the South China Sea ( West Philippine Sea) remains volatile due to “certain actions” of both China and the United States to protect their interests in the disputed waters, the country’s military chief said on Tuesday. “So we have seen aggressive actions on the part of China, you know from reclaiming the area and deploying you know, warships there, ( Chinese) Coast Guards are very visible in that area and their maritime militias are there, they are practically swarming most of the areas in the West Philippine Sea and here comes the United States, of course, protecting their interest in maintaining sea lanes ( of communications) open and free,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP) chief- of- staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay in an online news conference with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines ( FOCAP). With these developments affecting Manila’s interest, Gapay said the AFP, within the limits of its capability, is maintaining a presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Gapay: West PH Sea situation remains 'volatile'. (2020, October 14). SunStar Davao, p. 4.