To protect, preserve PH territory: Johnny Pimentel seeks P5B to install naval outposts

By Billy Begas

The chairperson of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence has filed a measure seeking to earmark an initial P5 billion for the installation of naval outposts to secure the country’s maritime domain against all forms of foreign encroachment.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the government is “duty-bound to protect and preserve the vast natural gas deposits as well as the lush marine life in our strategic waters for the enjoyment of future generations of Filipinos.”

Under the proposed Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Act (House Bill 9420), the FOBs envisioned to guard the West Philippine Sea shall be established in Lubang Island in Mindoro Occidental; Subic Bay in Zambales; and in the Palawan towns of Busuanga and Balabac.

To watch over the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) FOBs will be put up in Polillo Island in Quezon, Divilacan in Isabela and Casiguran in Aurora.

Five other FOBs shall also be built in Mavulis Island in Batanes; Allen, Northern Samar; Surigao City; Sarangani, Davao Occidental; and in Mapun Island in Tawi-Tawi.

The FOBs are outpost where the Navy can carry out its basic functions and duties, and can be upgraded and expanded for national security purposes.

“We expect the outposts to serve as the future staging and resupply sites for the Navy’s new generation of warships and battle craft,” Pimentel said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday filed another diplomatic protest against the persistent deployment and “illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels” around Pag-asa Island, and demanded their withdrawal.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)