MALACAÑANG on Sunday confirmed the issuance of an executive order aimed at strengthening maritime security and domain awareness among Filipinos amid China's recent aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Signed on March 25 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Executive Order (EO) 57 (series of 2024) underscores the need for the country to strengthen its maritime security while also raising awareness of its maritime domain amid 'serious challenges' that threaten Philippine sovereignty, especially in the disputed waterway.