(UPDATE) THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said a shift to external security operations (ESO) 'is on the horizon' as it strengthens its defense posture with more aerial and surface maritime patrols through its naval, air and ground assets in areas covered by the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The AFP said it deployed additional surface patrol ships to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) situated in the WPS where numerous intrusions by Chinese vessels have been recorded.