PBBM to AFP: Defend every part of PHL territory in WPS

DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary and Officer-incharge Jose Faustino Jr. spelled out the Commander-in-chief ’s order for the military to defend every part of the country’s maritime territory in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Army, through its spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said Faustino emphasized the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. during the first command conference of the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The conference held on Monday on the eve of the country’s marking of the sixth-year anniversary of the UN Arbitral ruling that junked China’s expansive maritime claims against the Philippines, was also attended by Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

“DND OIC Usec. Faustino laid out to the AFP top brass the directive of the President and Commander-inchief Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to defend every square inch of the country’s territory,” Trinidad said.

During the meeting, the DND chief also discussed his priorities such as defending the nation’s territorial integrity, protecting the Filipinos and ensuring state sovereignty.

“He also vowed to ensure the continued implementation of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, which is now about to enter its third horizon,” Trinidad said.

In Hawaii, the commander of the US Third Fleet and concurrent combined task force commander Vice Admiral Michael Boyle paid a visit on the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna, which is participating in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercise.

Navy spokesman Cdr. Benjo Negranza said Boyle, who was accorded a fitting reception aboard ship led by its commanding officer and Philippine contingent head Captain Charles Merric Villanueva, who expressed his gratitude to the contingent for helping realize the goals and objectives of the world’s largest exercise.