AFP says it is continuing upgrades to Philippine‑held features in the West Philippine Sea

Article by F. Palafox

Published on May 29, 2026 9:00AM

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday that it is continuing the construction and enhancement of structures on Philippine‑held features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), framing the work as part of efforts to support both troops and the local community. ¹ AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, emphasized that these projects are legal exercises of the country’s sovereignty and do not require any external permission. ¹ ²

Trinidad stated that the AFP has been “doing improvements, enhancements, development, repair, and fortification” to ensure that Philippine‑held islands can support deployed troops and the Kalayaan community on Pag‑asa Island. He noted that initial projects focused on Pag‑asa Island, but similar repair and enhancement efforts will be expanded to other features in the WPS. ¹

“Performance indicators are still being assessed,” Trinidad said when asked about the percentage of completion, but he added that “we have received funds for that and the enhancements are ongoing,” pointing to prior budget allocations for infrastructure projects in the Kalayaan Island Group. ¹ ³ He stressed that the work is aimed at improving habitability, logistics, and operational readiness, not at launching offensive actions. ¹ ²

Trinidad reiterated that the Philippines exercises “absolute sovereignty and complete jurisdiction” over its occupied features in the WPS, and that all construction, repair, and enhancement activities fall within the country’s legal rights under international law. ¹ ² “We do not need to seek the permission of any country, more so one that has illegally intruded into and continues to be in our maritime zones,” he said, referring to China’s presence in Philippine‑claimed waters. ¹ ²

The West Philippine Sea, as defined by Manila, covers the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. The government has formally renamed the relevant portions of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce its sovereign claims and align with domestic policy and public‑law frameworks. ²

Tensions remain high as Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a critical shipping corridor through which more than 3 trillion dollars of annual shipborne commerce passes and where overlapping claims exist with the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. ⁴ ⁵ In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, declaring that China’s expansive “nine‑dash line” claims have no legal basis under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ⁵ ⁶

China has rejected the arbitral award and continues its activities in the area, including the presence of coast‑guard vessels and maritime militia around Philippine‑claimed features. ⁵ ⁷ Meanwhile, the Philippines has paired its legal and diplomatic posture with incremental physical upgrades, such as runway extensions and port improvements on Pag‑asa and other islands, signaling its intent to consolidate a long‑term presence and protect the welfare of both troops and civilians in the WPS. ¹ ³ ⁸

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Notes:

¹ AFP to build more structures in WPS features | GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/988180/afp-to-build-more-structures-in-wps-features/story/

² PH continues lawful operations in WPS, protection of Filipino fishers https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1267204

³ Over P3B set aside this 2025 for West Philippine Sea infrastructure projects--Pimentel https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/19/over-p3-b-set-aside-this-2025-for-west-philippine-sea-infrastructure-projects-pimentel

⁴ PHL lags in infra dev't over disputed West Philippine Sea https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/323813/phl-lags-in-infra-dev-t-over-disputed-west-philippine-sea/story/

⁵ South China Sea Arbitration Ruling: What Happened and What's ... https://www.uscc.gov/research/south-china-sea-arbitration-ruling-what-happened-and-whats-next

⁶ The South China Sea Arbitration Decision: The Need for Clarification https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-journal-of-international-law/article/south-china-sea-arbitration-decision-the-need-for-clarification/F97223B0AA162998EF43079B8EEDE6E6

⁷ Statement of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the ... https://ph.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/sgfyrbt/202407/t20240713_11453354.htm

⁸ Runway extension at Pag-asa Island now complete - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ONENewsPH/posts/runway-extension-at-pag-asa-island-now-complete-afpnewsandviews-developments-con/1207018091453540/

⁹ PH upgrading Coast Guard capabilities, modernizing the Armed ... https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/ph-upgrading-coast-guard-capabilities-modernizing-the-armed-forces-in-the-light-of-wps-issue-says-pbbm/

¹⁰ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is ... https://www.facebook.com/gmanews/posts/the-armed-forces-of-the-philippines-afp-on-tuesday-said-it-is-continuing-the-con/1506868161484836/