WESCOM visits Kalayaan group of islands in West PHL Sea

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Nov 27 (PIA) – Commander of Western Command LtGen Juancho M Sabban AFP and party visited military troops deployed to the nine (9) Philippine-held islands in the Kalayaan Group of Islands at the West Philippine Sea.

In a press release, the Public Affairs Office of WESCOM disclosed that the Commander’s visit to all the nine island detachments from Nov 19-22 was aimed to personally assess the Area of Operations, particularly on the aspect of readiness as well as the morale and welfare of troops.

The report said that the visit served as an opportunity for the military personnel to meet and talk to the Commander in person about their issues and concerns. It is also the first time that WESCOM has undertaken such visit and is also one of the Command activities in relation to Yuletide Season.

Christmas gifts, which included groceries and other supplies, were doled out to the deployed soldiers.

LtGen Sabban commended the troops for their commitment to protect and defend the country. Likewise, he inspired them to be more resolute in the accomplishment of the Defense mandate.

“Our commitment to perform our mandated mission, which is to protect our nation’s peace and its legitimate possessions and to defend our democracy  and territorial integrity against all enemies – foreign and domestic, continues to be the moving force from where we draw our strength and inspiration,” he stressed.

During the ocular inspection to the detachment facilities, the Commander noted the operational hurdles that need to be addressed in strengthening WESCOM’s forces and enhancing its capabilities to meet the needs of today’s evolving threat environment.  The troops were assured that the Command will do everything to address the existing operational concerns.

“With our continued confidence in our cause to make our sovereignty more secure and fortitude in making our organization more formidable, we cannot be defeated and intimidated to keep our flag flying mighty. We will steadily deliver in being at the forefront. We will defend this country. And we will defend it to the end,” the Commander said.

He also reminded soldiers that “our military service is vital to our nation’s future. Our country’s future depends upon us. As our predecessors have done, we will pass on to our children, the same liberties that were preserved for us.”

The nine island detachments that were visited are Lawak Island, Patag Shoal, Likas Island, Parola Island, Pag-asa Island, Panata Shoal, Kota Island, Rizal Reef, and Ayungin. (RVC/WESCOM/PIA-9-ZBST)