MANILA, Philippines — To further bolster their patriotic zeal amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, all Philippine military personnel are now ordered to wear the country’s flag badges on their right arm.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. announced the new directive in a press conference on Thursday, after the command conference with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The conference was held after the violent June 17 incident in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, which led to what Brawner previously deemed as “looting” of seven firearms, the destruction of two navy boats, and the loss of a navy personnel’s finger.
“As the chief of staff, I have authorized all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to wear our flag on our right arm,” Brawner said.
“We are requiring all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to wear the flag proudly on our right arm,” the official, wearing military fatigue while sporting a Philippine flag badge in his right arm, further said.
Before this, Brawner noted that Filipino troops only wore the flag badge either overseas or only during the war games between Manila and Washington.
Last month, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año enjoined patriotic Filipinos to display the national flag in their homes and workplaces in a show of patriotic zeal.
Año’s request comes amid recent tensions in the West Philippine Sea which saw the desecration of the national flag by China Coast Guard (CCG).
READ: Año urges Filipinos to display PH flag amid West Philippine Sea row
Last month, the CCG’s water cannon assault during the resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea appeared to be targeting the Philippine flag hoisted by the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Bagacay. —Felice Nafarrete, INQUIRER.net trainee