AFP ready to help probe into quarrying activities in coastal areas

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it is ready to assist the investigation into the reported quarrying activities in coastal areas to support reclamation efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military remains vigilant on issues affecting national security, including the alleged quarrying.

“Should the need arise, the AFP stands ready to provide any assistance and inter-agency coordination with relevant government bodies such as the DENR, PCG, and NBI to identify individuals or groups involved in such activities,” she said.

“Under the whole-of-nation approach, it is within the AFP’s mandate to protect the integrity of our national territory and prevent any actions that could pose a threat to our sovereignty, environment, and security,” she added.

Padilla said the AFP will continue to monitor developments in the WPS.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation into the reported quarrying activities in coastal areas.

This was after the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency’s (NICA) statement that sand from the Philippines’ coastal areas is being used for foreign reclamation projects in the WPS. — VBL, GMA Integrated News