THE Department of National Defense has approved the reorganization of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces West and Naval Forces Northern Luzon, renaming them the Western Naval Command and the Northern Luzon Naval Command, respectively.
The Western Naval Command, based in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, is tasked with the maritime security in Palawan, including the Philippines-held areas within the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Meanwhile, the Northern Luzon Naval Command, based in San Fernando, La Union, oversees maritime security in critical areas such as the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, the Balintang Channel near Taiwan, and the Philippine (Benham) Rise to the east.
With the approval, the Philippine Navy is set to expand its naval units tasked with overseeing the WPS and the waters near Taiwan, aiming to bolster the country’s defense capabilities amid China’s growing assertiveness.
These commands are at the forefront of addressing China’s coercive and aggressive actions in the WPS. In recent years, Beijing intensified its activities in the South China Sea—claiming nearly the entire area—and around Taiwan, where it has not ruled out the possibility of using force to take the island.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS, explained that the expansion reflects the “increasing importance of both naval forces.”
“With the advent of the comprehensive archipelagic defense concept and shift to external defense, they are playing an increasing role in the defense and security of the country,” he said, referring to a defense strategy introduced in early 2024 that shifts the military’s focus from insurgency operations to territorial defense.
The expanded units will be officially activated upon the issuance of pertinent orders.
As part of the reorganization, the commands are expected to be elevated to the equivalent of a division, with their highest rank upgraded from commodore to rear admiral, a two-star position. Additional personnel and assets will also be deployed to support the expanded units.
“We are looking at a more robust organization for the fleet,” Trinidad said.