In a bid to assert the country's sovereignty over Philippine-owned portions of the
"Right now, based on our role as far as territorial defense is concerned, is we provide the needed information to higher headquarters as far as our patrols are concerned; we provide the things that we see from above as we conduct our air patrols to higher headquarters for their perusal, that's our role for the moment, we provide the necessary air intelligence information," he said in Filipino.
At present, PAF reconnaissance flights are concentrating on Scarborough Shoal (Bajo De Masinloc) which lies 124 nautical miles off Zambales and Ayungin Shoal which is around 140 nautical miles from
And when asked on whether PAF surveillance flights on the
Delgado also reiterated the PAF's commitment to defend the country's airspace in the West Philippine Sea despite its current shortage of equipment and growing assertiveness of
"We are prepared (for) in any contingency that the government will ask us to do as far as the territorial defense is concerned even with meager resources; we are ready to confront any kind of threat should there be a need for us to be really involved but right now, we are avoiding any confrontrations; we are adhering to the rule of law; we are supporting the government’s efforts in pursuing the legal complaint in the international courts," he pointed out.
Col. Florante Falcis, assistant chief for air staff for intelligence, said a series of flights revealed that between 10 to 12 ships are spotted in
However, he declined to comment on whether these ships are naval craft or civilian vessels.
Falcis also reiterated that this number is not a permanent figure and this varies from time to time.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=654595
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