PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—As the second highest official in the country, presidential bet and Vice President Leni Robredo was briefed here on the situation in Palawan province and the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS) by the Western Command (Wescom).

Robredo visited the Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa City on Thursday, April 7, after holding a grand rally on Wednesday night at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk Park.
Wescom Deputy Commander Air Force Brigadier General Sharon Gernale welcomed Robredo, who was given a two-man guard arrival honors.
She then had a closed-door meeting with Wescom commanders, Joint Task Force (JTF) Peacock, and JTF Malampaya.
The officials briefed her about the security situations in Palawan and the territorial waters in West Philippine Sea, where China’s aggressive stance has caused tensions to rise in the region in the past decade.

Wescom gifted Robredo with mementos that symbolize the command’s mission.
Among the mementos is a “sumpit,” which is a traditional weapon commonly used by Tao’t Bato, a group of indigenous peoples based in Rizal, Palawan, to hunt animals.
It symbolizes strength, speed, focus, and accuracy possessed by true Filipino warriors.
Robredo also received “The Palawan Fish,” which is a carving from the Palao-an Tribe in Quezon, Palawan.

It depicts the abundance of marine resources and serenity.
Wescom is the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) unified command in the frontline defense for the West Philippine Sea.