CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored the distinguished service and leadership of Vice Admiral Alfonso F. Torres Jr. PN during the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony held on February 16, 2026, at Bonifacio Naval Station, Taguig City.
The ceremony was presided over by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., who commended Vice Admiral Torres for strengthening WESCOM’s operational capabilities and advancing its territorial defense mission. Commodore Charles Merric Villanueva PN was installed as Acting Commander, WESCOM.
“Under the leadership of Vice Admiral Torres, WESCOM strengthened its maritime domain awareness, expanded its operational presence through the deployment of personnel in detachments across our frontier islands, and sustained surveillance operations by conducting maritime patrols over our country's territorial waters and Philippine airspace with discipline and resolve,” General Brawner said.
He added that WESCOM upheld sovereign rights while sustaining internal security gains and reinforcing partnerships with local communities and allied forces.
General Brawner also emphasized the critical role of WESCOM in defending the country’s western frontier. “The strategic landscape in the West Philippine Sea demands vigilance, unity of effort and leaders who can think clearly, act decisively, and inspire confidence. Western Command is the AFP's line of defense in Palawan and the Kalayaan Island Group,” he said, reaffirming the AFP’s commitment to securing national sovereignty firmly and responsibly.
The AFP leadership conveyed its gratitude to Vice Admiral Torres for his exemplary service and welcomed Commodore Villanueva as Acting Commander, expressing confidence in his leadership to sustain WESCOM’s mission of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and advancing peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea.///
Photos by SSg Rey Ambay PA/PAOAFP
