To address issues concerning national security within the Philippines' territorial seas, Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino pushed for the creation of the West Philippine Sea command and revealed that there is a "good sign" coming from the Philippine Navy.
In an ambush interview during the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial campaign sortie in Carmen, Davao del Norte recently, Tolentino said he had already talked with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on the matter.
"Positively, I've been hearing good signs from the Philippine Navy. Kahapon yata nag press conference ang Philippine Navy at parang sinasabi ni Admiral Roy Trinidad that these are good developments para na rin sa kapanatagan ng ating karagatan," Tolentino, who is the chairperson of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said.
He explained that the Western Command (Wescom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines only holds the Kalayan Island groups, including the Ayungin Shoal, while the Northern Command (Norcom) has Bajo de Masinloc or the Scarborough Shoal as its jurisdiction. He said the establishment of one command, the WPS command, would unify the response and approach to any threat in the West Philippine Sea.
He further explained that Wescom and Norcom are both composed of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, and within the territorial sea 12 nautical miles, they can be both useful.
"Kasi pag-sinabi nating West Philippine Sea Command more on naval forces, including the Philippine Coastguard (But when you say West Philippine Sea Command, it's more on naval forces, including the Philippine Coastguard)," he said.
Recently, Tolentino called on Marcos to establish a West Philippine Sea command amid the presence of Chinese ships in the WPS.
“Because this, for the first time, we referred to the West Philippine Sea in that Philippine Maritime Zones Law, for improved response capabilities for both the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, and enhanced coordination with those two naval agencies including the PNP maritime command,” Tolentino said in his call to Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
