Executive Secretary Ralph Recto emphasized the government's commitment to defend the country's possessions as he received the rank of auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which leads efforts to reinforce the nation's rights in the West Philippine Sea.
On Friday aboard the BRP Teresa Magbanua, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto donned the rank and took his oath as an auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). During the ceremony, he highlighted the administration's intensified focus on maritime security and coastal protection.
Recto pointed to the P42.52 billion allocation for the PCG this year, aimed at enhancing manpower, operational readiness, and long-term capability development. This budget will fund personnel recruitment and the creation of new positions to build toward a force of 108,867 uniformed personnel, equivalent to three coast guard members per kilometer of coastline.
The PCG has been at the forefront of reinforcing the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea, as stated in the event.