AFP sees shift to external security ops with more aerial, maritime patrols

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it would shift its efforts from internal security operations (ISO) to external ones (ESO) with more aerial and maritime patrols.

In a press conference, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said this as he reported that there was only one active communist guerilla front left in the country.

“With our substantial gains on ISO, a shift to ESO is on the horizon as we strengthen our security posture with the increased conduct of aerial and surface maritime patrols through our naval and air force air assets and ground forces,” he said.

The deployment of additional surface patrol ships increased the presence of the AFP in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) from 30% in 2022 to the present 90%.

“We have improved our capabilities and our presence in strategic locations with the effective presence of our maritime detachments in the Batanes Group of Islands, Kalayaan Island Group, and Tawi-Tawi,” he said.

The AFP assisted in the completion of personnel barracks in Likas, Parola, and Kota Stations in the KIG.

The increased deployment will allow authorities to detect and monitor foreign ships, track, and subject them to interdiction operations, Aguilar said.

Last month, the Naval Special Operations Units and the Philippine Marines were redeployed to Palawan, according to Aguilar.

“These are complemented by partnering with our ally and strategic partner armed forces from our global and regional allied countries that enables leveraging capabilities through information sharing, subject matter expert exchange, and joint and combined maritime exercises,” he said.

The AFP is set to shift from ISO after the remaining five active guerilla fronts in 2022 were reduced to only one. Two of the previously active groups were already dismantled and two were weakened, according to Aguilar.

“In total, 20 are on a weakened status and one active,” he said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News