Manila, June 24 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) said it is ready to protect oil exploration and drilling activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from any encroachment by a foreign power, an official said Tuesday.

"Your PN and your Armed Forces are ready to provide security and protection to any effort by the national government to exploit the natural resources within our exclusive economic zone. We are prepared to provide protection to any other party that will be working with the Philippine government and to provide security against any interference of any foreign power," PN spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing held at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Trinidad made this comment when asked if the...