President Benigno S. Aquino III sees through the telescope the waters of the West Philippine Sea at the administration building of Philippine Navy Headquarter in Palawan during the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy (PN) at the Open Grounds of the Headquarters, Naval Forces West (NFW), Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Barangay Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Tuesday (May 27, 2014). It is the first time the Philippine Navy held its anniversary in the naval operating forces zone. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday inspected a naval station being developed as an operational command center for securing the West Philippine Sea, but insisted he was not sending any signal to China and was merely acting in his country’s national interest.
Gracing events as part of the Navy’s 116th anniversary celebration this week, he also witnessed the conceptual master plan of Naval Station Carlito Cunanan (NSCC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. As he was visiting Palawan, news reports broke of heightening tension in the South China Sea (parts of which Manila calls West Philippine Sea) as China sank a Vietnamese fishing boat near a Chinese oil rig that has sparked riots against Beijing in key Vietnamese cities.
Asked by journalists if he meant to send a strong message to China by having the Navy’s anniversary rites held at the NSCC in Palawan – the province embracing the municipality of Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) of islets, reefs and shoals often at the center of the maritime row between Manila and Beijing – Mr. Aquino said he was not concerned about sending China any messages. He simply wanted to do what the Philippines needed, namely, to continue upgrading its defense and disaster-response capabilities.
The NSCC has been reported to be a base that may be covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US, allowing Washington to preposition troops and materiel in Philippine facilities instead of rebuilding military bases.
Mr. Aquino cited the strategic location of Puerto Princesa, where the NSCC is located Instead of having to go around the West Philippine Sea, Philippine authorities can pre-position forces at NSCC to allow them to respond promptly to any contingency.
“So this is our closest geographical facility to an area where we have a lot of interest. And instead of delaying the ability of our forces to respond to anything, be it a man-made or natural” disaster, then it is logical to put them in a position where they can address the particular issue at the soonest possible time. So that's the basic issue.”
He admonished reporters to stop looking at “everything I do” as being “related to China,” adding in Filipino, “it doesn’t mean that if I eat at a Chinese restaurant it means I’m trying to forge a better relationship with them, although I want a better relationship with them.”
The President declared that the priority given to developing the NSCC “is in furtherance of our interest rather than in anticipation of anybody else's acts.”
Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Naval Forces West (NFW) Command Center has been at the forefront of territorial defense operations in the Kalayaan Island Group.
“Its upgraded Command Center, equipped with secure communications equipment and a satellite-based vessel tracking system, will further bolster our defense capabilities and ensure stability in the area,” he said.
With the theme “Protecting our Territory, Safeguarding our Future”, it is the first time in the Philippine Navy history that its anniversary is being held in the naval operating forces zone. Authorities had explained this is to showcase Navy’s future plans of developing and improving its forward operating base in Palawan facing the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, Lacierda said the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, named after the first naval officer to support the 1986 EDSA Revolution, has been slated for redevelopment, which includes the rehabilitation of the pier, living quarters and other support facilities.
“These efforts are in line with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), through which we hope to further improve our defense capacities,” he said.
The country is also commemorating the sacrifice of the Marines, who have bravely devoted themselves to protecting the national territorial and maritime borders, said Lacierda.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/87724/upgrade-of-palawan-naval-base-meant-to-boost-defense-disaster-readiness---pnoy
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