MANILA, Philippines —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday stood firm on its stance to not give up one square inch of Philippine territory following Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s call to give up the Kalayaan Group of Islands (KIG) in Palawan. In a statement, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said that the AFP “has never wavered in performing its mandate and we have proven it time and again.” “The extent of the national territory that we have sworn to protect is defined in our Constitution and it includes Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG),” Trinidad said. “Guided by a policy of not giving up one square inch and a matching strategy of comprehensive archipelagic defense, your AFP will continue performing its mandate w/ utmost professionalism and love for country,” he added. During a Committee on Appointments last week, Marcoleta said the Philippines should give up KIG, claiming that some of its features are “way beyond" the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Marcoleta’s statement drew ire from various sectors including maritime law experts who described his statements as “unacceptable” and dangerous to national security.