'Sovereignty has no price': Rising oil prices test, but won’t halt, Navy patrols

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy will continue patrols in the country’s territorial and sovereign waters despite soaring oil prices, a Navy spokesperson said.

Rear Adm. Roy Trinidad said the Navy has implemented fuel and energy conservation measures for its vessels while sustaining operations, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, the Northern Islands, Bajo de Masinloc and other maritime areas.

"Simple task that we could conserve fuel, conserve energy has already been implemented. As to the operational matters of the AFP, I would like to say that sovereignty has no price," Trinidad said in an interview on ANC on Monday, March 16.

"Our patrols, our operations will continue sapagkat ito ang mandato natin," he added. ("Our patrols, our operations will continue because this is our mandate.")

Trinidad also said naval vessels would continue joining exercises.

"So far wala pa tayong indicators na merong reduction," he said. ("So far, we have no indicators of any reduction.")

"Unless that there would be drastic changes, all of these have been planned, have been pre-planned and pre-approved, they will be executed," he added.

A Philippine Navy frigate, BRP Diego Silang, is taking part in the KAKADU 2026 exercises in Australia from March 6 to March 30.

Oil prices have surged amid the Middle East crisis and escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is central to those concerns because around 20% of global oil supply passes through it.

As of Sunday, March 16, West Texas Intermediate crude was at $100.22 (P6,000.07) a barrel, while Brent crude was at $106.11 (P6,352.70) a barrel, according to reports. — with reports from Agence France-Presse