The newly installed Armed Forces chief, Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri, refused to speak up on the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea. Iriberri said he prefers not to talk about the issue since the Philippines has already filed a case against China before an international tribunal. He added that he will just await the results of the arbitral hearing. The military will follow whatever directive is issued to them with regard to securing the country's territory, stressed Iriberri, a former Philippine Army commanding general.

Co, A. S. (2015, July 13). New AFP chief mum on West PH Sea Dispute. Panay News, p. 12.