AFP hopes Beijing will follow Code of Conduct in Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines -  Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban, Jr. is optimistic that China would abide by an agreement that all claimants to the Spratlys avoid the use of force in settling conflicts.

Responding to a question on China’s naval build-up, Oban said: “I think...they will be true to their word in abiding by the code of parties in the South China Sea.”

China has announced that it will deploy an additional 36 ships in the South China Sea area within a five-year period.

Oban said the military will continue to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

“As far as we are concerned, we will continuously conduct maritime patrols within our territory,” he said.

Oban said there is nothing to worry about as long as the Chinese gunboats stay in international waters and do not encroach into the country’s territorial waters.

“This signal (Chinese naval build up) means that we have to seriously consider our security sector reform,” he said.

The military will continue to strengthen its position in the region, despite limited resources, he added.

Of the six claimants to the Spratlys, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have deployed troops in the area. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Evelyn Macairan