WESCOM chief takes personal leave; AFP denies it's due to China 'new model' issue

Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command (AFP WESCOM), has taken a leave of absence due to personal reasons, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Tuesday.

Padilla, however, was quick to deny that Carlos' leave was linked to the Chinese Embassy's claim that the AFP WESCOM entered into an agreement with China on a "new model" for managing the situation in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

"Hindi siya related... coincidental na lang na nagkasabay lang (It's not related, the timing was just coincidental)," Padilla said.

Padilla could not say how long Carlos' leave will be, but said Commodore Alfonso Torres Jr. will temporarily serve as acting WESCOM chief. 

No further details on the reason and the duration of his leave were provided to the media but the AFP denied it is related to Beijing’s accusations with the WESCOM. 

"Hindi puwede na walang acting during his absence, so because nag-file siya ng leave for personal reasons, kailangan may papalit sa kanya kaya nga may acting tayo ngayon," she said.

(There should be an acting officer during his absence, so since he filed for leave for personal reasons, there should be someone to temporarily replace him.)

The AFP has denied the China Embassy's claim of a "new model." The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) likewise said no official from the Marcos administration entered into any agreement with the Chinese government regarding Ayungin Shoal.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier said the "new model" claim was a "clear attempt by China to advance another falsehood to divide our people and distract us from their unlawful presence and actions" in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

The National Security Council said there is no reason to investigate Carlos over China's claim.

The Philippines has repeatedly called out China over its repeated aggression in the WPS that includes the ramming and firing of water cannons at Philippine vessels.

China claims most of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. 

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling issued in 2016 upheld the Philippines' 200- nautical mile EEZ, outlawed Chinese aggression in the common fishing ground of Scarborough Shoal, and rejected China' s expansive nine-dash-line claim of the entire South China Sea. —Sundy Locus/KBK, GMA Integrated News