The military boosted its forces in Palawan by deploying an army battalion following the arrival of Special Operations Task Force Trident-West on Wednesday afternoon.
Western Command (WESCOM) Chief Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., along with other senior military officials in the province, welcomed Special Operations Task Force Trident-West (SOTF-TW) as it arrived at the Puerto Princesa City Port aboard the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Davao Del Sur (LD 602).
Torres said that with the arrival of the task force, WESCOM will substantially upgrade its capability in both external and internal defense operations.
“Your arrival marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the western frontier,” he said in his welcome remarks.
“Your unique capabilities and unwavering commitment to duty make you an invaluable asset to our forces here at Western Command. As you embark on this challenging mission, know that you have the unwavering support of the entire Western Command,” he added, pointing out that the new troops’ mission will require demanding precision, courage, and adaptability as they operate in complex environments and face formidable challenges.
He, however, expressed confidence in the task force, acknowledging their exceptional training, experience, and undaunted spirit, which he said would enable them to overcome any obstacle that may arise during operations.
“Your presence here is a testament to our nation’s resolve to protect our interests and maintain peace and stability in the region. Your actions will not only deter adversaries but also inspire hope and confidence among our Filipino people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Torres also said that the SOTF-TW will serve as an augmentation force to the ground troops already present in the province, supporting their internal security operations and campaign to maintain and sustain Palawan’s insurgency-free status.
“They will work with our land forces like the Joint Task Force Peacock when it comes to civil-military operations and HADR, and of course, contribute to the territorial defense operations of Western Command,” the Wescom chief said.
“They are specially trained, kagaya nga ng name nila, and hindi lang sila pang military operations but they do CMO and, of course, they will form part of the maintenance and sustainment effort of Wescom with respect to an insurgency-free Palawan,” he added.
