SUMMARY
Coordination over what? Both Philippine and American officials were tight-lipped on Thursday, July 11, about an apparent “coordination meeting” between United States Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson and Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., commander of the Western Command (Wescom).
Carlson had apparently visited the Wescom in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Wescom is the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Unified Command that is tasked to guard the western front of the country, including the West Philippine Sea.
It’s Wescom that’s had to deal with China’s incursions in flashpoints like Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal, Escoda or Sabin Shoal, and Pagasa or Thitu Island, among other features that are close to Palawan.
Other features in the West Philippine Sea, such as Scar…