New Navy chief vows stronger presence in Philippine seas

MANILA, Philippines — Newly designated Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta has vowed to sustain and further strengthen military might and presence at sea as part of efforts to deter attempts to subvert the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Surely there are rough seas that we may be sailing through in the future. When those moments come, it is our relentless commitment and our steadfast duty that will allow us to stay on course and remain full speed ahead, to act in concert to defend our national interests, protect our people and safeguard our waters. Let us all work together toward the same goal,” he said in his assumption speech yesterday.

Ezpeleta, who officially replaced Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. as Philippine Navy chief in a change of command ceremony attended by President Marcos along with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., did not specifically mention China and the West Philippine Sea.

However, he acknowledged that the Philippines is now “operating in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment that is steadily transforming into a brittle, anxious, nonlinear and incomprehensible one.”

The Philippines is facing challenges to its national security that puts the Philippine Navy at the forefront as the country looks on recalibrating its defense approach from internal security to an external approach, according to the Navy official.

“As directed by our commander-in-chief and aligned with policies from the Department of National Defense and higher headquarters, we shall continue to embrace and prepare for our increasing role in external defense operations, especially with the adoption of the comprehensive archipelagic concept and in tandem with the Navy’s active archipelagic defense strategy,” he said.

Ezpeleta stressed that such a reorientation also requires the Philippine Navy to intensify its maritime security operations by strengthening its presence in operational areas which is why he commits to “continue to enhance our support to the unified commands and push for the optimum deployment of our naval assets and personnel.”

He also took note of how the recent signing of the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act reinforces the country’s maritime entitlements and responsibilities within the nation’s maritime zones under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“More importantly, it defines the scope of the Philippine Navy’s areas of responsibility and allows us to protect, to project appropriate capabilities in our exclusive economic zones, which contribute to protecting sovereignty, promoting sustainable development and securing future prosperity,” Ezpeleta stressed.

Meanwhile, Teodoro said President Marcos had instructed Ezpeleta to continue the military’s programs under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

“The CADC is the guiding concept that guides all major service commanders and area commanders. So, as a force provider, the Philippine Navy’s role in the CADC is to fast-track strategic basing, put in the systems for managing future and current acquisitions and training our naval personnel and marines on the new territorial defense necessities,” he explained to reporters after the ceremony.