Manila, Feb. 12 -- Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Wednesday called for the establishment of a dedicated West Philippine Sea Command to enhance maritime security and national defense.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado forum, the Senator said he will formally write to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to outline the operational and strategic benefits of creating a separate command.

"It will improve our response capabilities because a dedicated command would provide focus, leadership, resources, and operational capabilities to address security challenges," he said. "Establishing a dedicated command would strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines' capacity to safeguard national interest, enforce sovereignty, and ensure the...