CAMP GENERAL RICARTE, Puerto Princesa City – General Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), went to Balabac Island and other parts of Palawan on Wednesday, May 17, to inspect troops deployed in among the farthest territories of the country.

In his planned two-day visit to the province of Palawan, the AFP Chief met with the soldiers of the different units deployed within the Western Command (WESCOM) joint operational area to check on their welfare.

He, first arrived at the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 4 detachment in Bugsuk Island yesterday morning and continued his rounds to the different WESCOM subordinate units such as the Naval Station Narciso Del Rosario in Balabac Island, Tactical Operations Wing-West in Bancao-Bancao, and Naval Forces West in Macarascas.

Yesterday’s rounds culminated with the AFP Chief’s visit to WESCOM Headquarters. In a talk with the troops, Gen. Centino mentioned that “there is no better way of boosting the soldier’s morale than to see his commander visit him and tend to his welfare.”

This morning, the AFP Chief made a quick site visit to the 584th Aircraft Control and Warning Group of the Philippine Air Force’s Air Defense Command in Mount Salakot, Barangay Napsan, Puerto Princesa City.

He will be joining Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on the latter’s trip and site visit to the Kalayaan Island Municipality in Pag-asa Island today. Gen. Centino also dropped by the different completed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) projects in the province particularly those which are located at the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City.

“The EDCA sites will boost our armed forces’ defense capabilities and there is nothing wrong in preparing for the defense of our country”, added the AFP Chief in his talk with the troops at WESCOM. WESCOM welcomes Gen. Centino’s visit to the Western frontier and pledges support to the AFP Chief’s programs that will further strengthen the AFP’s capabilities such as the EDCA. (WESCOM)