MANILA — Assuming his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited Palawan on Sunday to thank and inspire troops of the Western Command (WESCOM).
In his visit, President Marcos recognized the valuable service of the troops who exercised restraint amid Chinese provocations during a dangerous resupply mission for Philippine soldiers stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
President Marcos said he is thankful to the personnel of WESCOM for continuing to defend the Philippines.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat sa serbisyo ninyo and the sacrifices that you have been making to continue to fight for and defend our territorial integrity,” President Marcos said .
The President said the government is standing firm on its position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Hindi magbabago ang ating pananaw dito sa sitwasyon na ito. Hindi tayo maaaring pilitin na basta pabayaan na lang na kung sino-sino ang magsasabi – hindi na sa inyo ‘yan, amin ito. Hindi na pwedeng mangyari ‘yun,” he added.
The President said the government “will do everything” to defend the country’s territory and sovereignty and to allow the Filipinos to exercise their sovereign rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Philippines has for WPS “very solid international legal grounds” that are recognized by the whole world, President Marcos said. He lauded the WESCOM troops for enforcing them.
“You have played a very, very important part in the defense of our sovereignty. Napakahalaga ng inyong ginagawa. Alam ko na nandito kayo, nasa kampo kayo, pumupunta kayo, lumalabas kayo – baka hindi ninyo nararamdaman na ang buong Pilipinas ay sinasaludo kayo sa inyong ginagawa,” he said.
“Alam namin ang dinadaanan ninyong sakripisyo. Alam namin na hindi madali ang mission na ibinigay namin sa inyo. Ngunit, maliwanag na maliwanag kahit gaano kahirap, kahit gaano kabigat ang trabaho na ibinibigay sa inyo ay mission accomplished pa rin kayo every time that you go out,” he added. (PND)
