The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Western Command (WESCOM), heeds the call of our Commander-in-Chief President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on recalibrating the AFP’s focus towards external defense operations in light of the recent increase in complexity of the country’s external security environment.
This Command remains steadfast in fulfilling its solemn duty to defend Philippine sovereignty, territorial integrity, and protecting the rights of our country and our people with vigilance, dynamism, and determination in our operations in the WPS.
WESCOM welcomes the opportunity to work with friends and allies in patrolling our waters, building on existing partnerships, forging new ones, strengthening military interoperability, and developing indigenous capabilities to respond to threats that may arise within our area of operations.
WESCOM also appreciates and supports the ongoing efforts of our brothers and sisters in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in making known the realities faced in the WPS – incidents of harassment, coercion, and provocations that challenge our legitimate entitlements as upheld by the 2016 Arbitral Award. These efforts have highlighted the need to promote adherence to a rules-based order in the WPS and strengthen established bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to avoid conflict and maintain peace and stability.
Bolstered by the Commander-in-Chief’s trust and confidence in the AFP’s capability and commitment to deliver on our solemn duty to protect the country and the Filipino people, WESCOM stands resolved to serve with fervor and sacrifice, ready to execute the mission laid out by the national leadership. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
