News AFP official told to follow Palace’s gag order on West Philippine Sea issue during CA deliberations By HANA BORDEY, GMA News Published May 26, 2021 4:16pm Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Cirilito Sobejana has instructed a military officer, who faced the Commission on Appointment (CA) on Wednesday, to follow Malacañang’s gag order on matters related to the West Philippine Sea (WPS). During the CA committee on national defense deliberations on the nomination of Commodore Antonio Palces to the rank of Rear Admiral, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked the military official to disclose AFP’s new set of rules of engagement in the WPS following the enactment of China’s new Coast Guard Law.