Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), vowed to provide “solid” support to the Western Command (WESCOM) for them to intensify their security operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Bacarro made the commitment during his first official command visit to the headquarters of WESCOM at Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
During his visit, Bacarro was briefed by Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, WESCOM commander, on the security updates in the islands of Palawan, including the disputed Spratly Islands or Kalayaan Island Group.
“Aside from the gains in internal security, the commander of WESCOM discussed with the Chief of Staff the current and emerging security situation in the West Philippine Sea. The latter assured the former of the GHQ’s solid commitment and support to WESCOM’s joint operations in securing and protecting our territorial integrity and nation’s interests in the WPS,” Maj. Cherryl Tindog, WESCOM spokesperson, said Wednesday, Nov. 16.
This came after the revelation that China continues to improve and build additional structures on the artificial islands that they claim in the South China Sea, including some which are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Bacarro also participated in a tree-planting activity as part of the WESCOM’s commitment to environmental preservation.
He then congratulated the WESCOM in its gains in internal security, especially in striving to make Palawan an “insurgency-free” province.
After the command briefing, Bacarro graced the unveiling of the WESCOM’s Strategy Map for its transformation journey for Base Camp 2023-2028. The strategy encompasses the institutionalized functions, resources, expectations, and messaging of the WESCOM towards being a “world-class” military unit and a “source of national pride.”
“We are very grateful to our Chief of Staff for visiting us here in WESCOM. He has boosted our morale and gave inspiration to us all in performing our sworn duties in our area of responsibility as well as in our day to day lives,” Carlos said.