The new military chief in Palawan vowed to protect it from any terror attack, kidnapping and any other atrocity as he assumed his post on Saturday, March 2, at Lawak Gymnasium, Camp General Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City.
“We will do our best to protect Palawan same as we did in the waters of Western Mindanao. That any sign of terrorism, kidnapping, and atrocities, it will not succeed in Western Command’s area of operation. That the gains and way of Palawan Towards peace and development will continue,” Vice Admiral Rene V. Medina, the newly-installed 32nd commander of Western Command (WESCOM), declared during his assumption speech.
He added, “WESCOM will continue to soar as an effective and excellent unified command and all hard work will put forth to ensure the protection of Palawan”.
Medina guaranteed that he will take the plunge in the West Philippine Sea challenges and that Wescom will devotedly commit to finish the projects that the previous leaderships have started in the Kalayaan Island Group.
“We will provide frameworks for increased Filipino presence to dauntlessly assert our lawful ownership and sovereign rights over the islands under our exclusive economic zone through the help of appropriate government agencies and authorities so that we can provide condition in the West Philippine Sea that is comfortable and safe to live in,” said Medina.
He also mentioned that he will give his full support to localized peace talks and continue the operationalization of Enhanced Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP) for the rebel returnees.
“We will work hand and hand with our local government for sharing of information and resources to maintain peace and security and finally put an end to local terrorist group who’s been the negative stimulus in the government for the longest time,” he said.
AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., who presided the command ceremony, commended Commodore Dorvin Jose L. Legaspi for successfully steering the Team WESCOM for almost three months.
“Natagalan ng konti po yung approval ng pagpili sa susunod na commander ng WESCOM dahil kinakailangan nating siguraduhin na ang susunod nating itatalaga ay kakayaning gampanan ang mga tungkulin. But we were very confident because we had commodore Legaspi who ably steer the unit and ably led the unit to accomplish the task while the incoming commander is yet to be named. Commodore Legaspi has carried on the success of his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez who is now the Commanding General of the Philippine Airforce,” said Madrigal.
Madrigal also expressed his confidence in the commitment, passion, and dedication of the new WESCOM commander Vice Admiral Rene Medina to bring peace and progress in Palawan and the West Philippine Sea.
“Being an area commander entails an unwavering commitment to understand the complexity and diversity of the people and their concerns. On the other hand, the AFP leadership are in confidence for the new commander, assures everyone that our new commander Vice Admiral Rene Medina is more than ready for this challenge,” he said.
Medina replaced acting commander Commodore Dorvin Jose Llanes Legaspi, who temporarily headed the command for 70 days, since 21 December 2018.
Medina is a member of “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 of the Philippine Military Academy.
Prior to his appointment as 32nd commander of Western Command (WESCOM), Medina was the Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, which is the largest naval operating force of the Philippine Navy and was named as the Naval Operating Forces of the Year during the 2018 Philippine Navy anniversary.
He also held a senior position in Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) for a year and he also commanded the Sealift Amphibious Force (SAF) of the Philippine Fleet.
Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, who stepped down as the Philippine Navy’s chief of naval staff will take over the position of Medina as the commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.