AFP to deploy Marines in coastal areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 26): AFP to deploy Marines in coastal areas

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be deploying Marine units in the priority coasts of the country.

This is in-line with the military transition to external defense mode, said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said.

Contributing to this is the return of peace to Mindanao area once the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines conclude their peace talks.

Such priority areas, Catapang said, include the West Philippine Sea, Batanes, Palawan and Tawi Tawi.

At present, Marine units were deployed in Ulugan Bay in Palawan to augment Philippine Navy units.

The area is considered vital by AFP planners as it is very near the features being claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands Group.

"Transition phases would be more on the West Philippine Sea and Batanes," Catapang said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=676879