AFP strengthens Malampaya monitoring amid West Philippine Sea tension

MANILA, January 26 ------ Amid tension between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines strengthened its presence by conducting a monitoring patrol at the Malampaya Natural Gas Power Project.

The facility remains the country’s most critical energy infrastructure in the West Philippine Sea. The intensified patrol came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on January 19 the discovery of a “significant” gas field within the Malampaya complex, which could strengthen the country’s domestic gas supply.

The AFP on Saturday said the monitoring patrol “underscored its unwavering commitment to protecting strategic national assets that are vital to the Philippines’ energy security and economic stability.” Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP chief of staff, led the monitoring patrol and site visit within the Joint Task Force Malampaya area of responsibility to assess the security posture and operational readiness of the power plant.

Brawner briefed JTF Malampaya personnel on the current security measures, maritime and air patrol operations and interagency coordination efforts. “The AFP continues to intensify its presence and monitoring operations in key strategic areas as part of its broader mission to defend national sovereignty, uphold maritime rights and ensure protection of critical infrastructure essential to national development,” the military said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com