Wescom assigned to protect Bajo de Masinloc

THE ARMED FORCES of the Philippines yesterday announced that the disputed Bajo de Masinloc, or Scarborough Shoal, would now be under the jurisdiction of the Western Command (Wescom).

The transfer “is to enhance our external defense capabilities which is now being concentrated at the Western Command and unity of effort and unity of command (and assets) so that our external defense efforts will just be under one commander,” Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the AFP public affairs chief, told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

Bajo de Masinloc, located off Zambales province, had been under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

Aside from Bajo de Masinloc, China claims Ayungin Shoal off Palawan province. Chinese maps with the socalled nine-dash line are practically claiming the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

Zagala said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista signed the orders last week placing the shoal under the Wescom, headed by Air Force Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda.

“TheWestern Command traditionally is commanded by an Air Force or a Navy officer primarily because of external defense and that the battle space is at sea and air,” he said.

“The Western Command has the necessary assets that can address territorial defense and monitoring. They have the necessary aircraft that can fly to all these areas for the purpose of monitoring and reporting to higher government office,” Zagala added.