‘Task Force Ayungin will enhance Philippines sovereignty, territorial integrity’

MANILA, Philippines — Task Force Ayungin would enhance the Philippines’ capability to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday.

Estrada, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense, admitted that he has yet to get a briefing from the Department of National Defense, which has confirmed that American troops are supporting Philippine operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“I am, of course, in favor of protecting our territorial waters, our sovereignty,” Estrada said. “There are Americans there because of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). The good thing is, the Americans will not directly participate in the missions in the West Philippine Sea. Their presence and support will enhance our ability to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity, but they will not directly participate in the actual missions in the West Philippine Sea.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed – in a post on X – the existence of Task Force Ayungin, during his visit on Tuesday to the Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año also confirmed the activities of Task Force Ayungin, but clarified that the unit is “internal” to the US and that all military activities or operations in Ayungin Shoal and in the WPS, in general – such as supply missions – were solely carried out by the Philippines.

Estrada said the Philippines is not the one provoking the Chinese, but the other way around.

The senator is hopeful that the return of president-elect Donald Trump would mean the US would still support and provide assistance to the Philippines against China, by virtue of the visiting forces agreement and the MDT.