Marcos Vows to Boost Nolcom's Capabilities

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), which secures the Ilocos, Cagayan and Central Luzon regions. During his visit to the Tarlac-based command last Thursday, Marcos cited the need to further enhance its preparedness, interoperability and coordination with other government agencies and international partners, according to a YouTube post by Radio Television Malacañang. The President also reiterated that his administration is committed to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty and national interests. “We will continue to boost the capability, readiness and coordination of NOLCOM to enable it to respond to any threat to our security and our territory,” the President said in a Facebook post. “To the oppressors, we will not falter. To the invaders, we will not surrender,” he added. Panatag Shoal, a fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone but being claimed by China, is situated 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales, one of the provinces being secured by NOLCOM. However, the shoal was placed under the jurisdiction of the Palawan-based Western Command in 2014 to unify all troops and assets safeguarding the West Philippine Sea. NOLCOM also secures the Philippine Rise, a 13-million hectare submerged continental shelf formerly known as Benham Rise, located off the coast of Aurora province that was declared by the United Nations as part of Philippine territory in 2012. Marcos also distributed financial aid to more than 500 barangays during his visit to Tarlac last Thursday.