Ulugan Bay development not aimed at China -- PN Chief

From the Philippine News Agency (May 25): Ulugan Bay development not aimed at China -- PN Chief

Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus Millan on Sunday stressed that the decision to improve the naval installation in Ulugan Bay, Palawan and hold the PN's 116th anniversary there this coming May 27 has nothing to do with the country's ongoing territorial spat with China.

"What we are doing there is (part) of our obligation to develop our facilities there (to enable the PN) to accomplish its mission and improve the morale of our men," he added.

Ulugan Bay is estimated to be around 100 nautical miles from the disputed Spratly Islands.

Millan said that development is needed as the Navy facility there is underdeveloped.

The PN chief also stressed that the decision to celebrate the Navy's 116th anniversary there is done to emphasize the need for improvements there.

"It is our commitment really to sustain our units in the field so that they can carry out their mandated roles," Millan pointed.

The PN chief also stressed that developing Ulugan Bay will not be a waste as it can bring a lot of strategic benefits to the country.

He also clarified that this development is not aimed at China whom the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries are at loggerheads due to conflicting maritime claims.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=646994