The Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and the Philippine Fleet have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening joint maritime defense and enhancing operational coordination in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' territorial defense mission.

Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzales, who also heads NOLCOM, visited the Philippine Fleet on 8 July, where he was received by Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Cobre, commander of the Philippine Fleet, at the Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales.

The meeting served as a venue to reinforce coordination between the two commands and strengthen their longstanding partnership in advancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines' territorial defense efforts.

With the country preparing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on 12 July, both commands also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the Philippines' sovereign rights and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.

The two military commands said they would continue to uphold a rules-based approach, maintain a sustained operational presence, and strengthen inter-service coordination in carrying out the country's maritime defense mission.