PH bases troops, infra buildup on Pag-asa 9 years after Hague ruling
“Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., commander of the Western Command (Wescom), said new troop deployments and infrastructure projects are planned as part of a broader push to ‘fortify our occupation’ in the Kalayaan Island Group.
” ‘Expect more and better infrastructure projects,’ Torres told a ceremony in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan province. ‘More footprints will be coming in, not only from the AFP but other agencies under the NTF-WPS (National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea).’ ”
“The plan is part of a whole-of-government approach by the NTF-WPS, which aims to integrate security and civilian functions in asserting Philippine presence in the West Philippine Sea.”