MANILA, July 21 (PIA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to secure the Australian-Filipino exploration group that is bound to drill oil in the West Philippine Sea, according to AFP public affairs chief, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato.
He added that the military does not expect China to harrow the exploration team but the AFP, especially the Philippine Navy forces, are prepared for any eventuality.
"Our Philippine Navy will secure those who are involved in economic activities," he said.
On Sunday, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers' Association party-list Rep. Arnel Ty said an Australian-Filipino consortium would drill a new deepwater exploratory well in the West Philippine Sea.
The group is investing $24.5-million or P1.1 billion to drill the Hawkeye well.
Although the drilling site of the exploration group is not exactly located in the area of the West Philippine Sea being claimed by China, there have been reports of their marked presence in the area.
"That area borders on our exclusive economic zone so any exploration must be protected by our Navy. It's incumbent upon us to protect (the activity)," Detoyato said in a press briefing.
Detoyato added that the Navy has the necessary equipment to ward off any attempt to harass the exploration team but he declined to elaborate.
When asked if they expect Chinese ships to badger the drilling team, Detoyato replied: "None that I know of. We don't expect any but we are prepared”. (AFP/RJB/KCDA/PIA-NCR)
See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2981437465681/afp-to-secure-aussie-philippines-exploration-group-in-west-philippine-sea#sthash.SKLSct2r.dpuf
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