MANILA, Philippines—Rear Admiral Ramil Enriquez on Tuesday (Nov. 24) took over the reins of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (Wescom), the military unit with jurisdiction over Philippine maritime territory in the West Philippine Sea. AFP chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay was present online from Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP headquarters in Quezon City. “Admiral Enriquez is a well-seasoned naval officer, having commanded major, several types of commissioned vessels,” AFP public affairs chief Capt. ADVERTISEMENTHe will assume leadership as China continued to aggressively enforce its mythical nine-dash line claim over the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. He will also be at the helm of protecting oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea following President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to lift a ban on such projects.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 24, 2020 10:18 UTC