The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) affirmed that it will be “business as usual” in fulfilling its core mandate of safeguarding the national sovereignty, particularly in defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday. In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla emphasized that the country’s independent foreign policy remains unchanged and continues to guide military actions. “So basically, the independent foreign policy has not changed. It will still be business as usual for us in the Armed Forces in terms of how we will be safeguarding our sovereignty,” said Padilla.

Kabagani, L. J. (2025, July 30). AFP stands firm on WPS mandate. Daily Tribune, p. A2.