Despite being given the new task to secure Panatag (
"By mandate, (the) Western Command will have to patrol that area and the rest of our area of responsibility utilizing all the necessary assets we have for the purpose of monitoring and reporting to higher headquarters," said Western Command spokesperson 1st Lt. Cheryl Tindog in a text message to the PNA.
Scarborough Shoal, upon orders of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, was taken from the Northern Luzon Command area of responsibility and assigned to the Western Command last week.
"We are at the transition phase and our capabilities on external defense are being further enhanced," said Tindog.
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala earlier stressed that no major upheavals will take place despite Scarborough Shoal being attached to the Western Command areas of responsibility, which is all at sea.
"These are all at sea, if you look at it, we have to look at the perspective of unity of command and the Western Command has the necessary assets (both air and sea) that can address territorial defense and monitoring," he added.
And should there be an immediate need to deploy naval assets to respond to possible incidents in Scarborough Shoal, Zagala said the Western Command can always use preposition naval assets in nearby areas.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said his ships and personnel are more than willing to escort Filipino fishermen plying the Scarborough Shoals.
He added that they are just waiting for President Benigno S. Aquino III's order.
"We are just waiting for the President (order) for us go and resume patrols there," Isorena stated in Filipino.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=620095
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.