Move
comes amid frequent poaching in fish-rich area
The Philippine
Navy has deployed more troops in Batanes Island
The number
of personnel was increased as we heighten collaboration with other
agencies in monitoring illegal activities in our waters, Millan said, referring
to the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources and Local Government Units (LGUs).
Millan said the
increased deployment in Batanes has nothing to do with the recent incident with
a Taiwanese fishing vessel which figured in a tense standoff with a
Philippine Coast Guard ship in Balintang Channel in Itbayat, Batanes.
Millan declined
to provide the exact number of navy personnel sent to Batanes but said
its task was primarily to secure the present facilities and other vital
installations in the Island .
Last June 16, a
Philippine Coast Guard ship figured in a two-hour standoff with Taiwan ’s Coast Guard off the coast of Itbayat , Batanes.
A month prior to
the incident, the PCG encountered another Taiwanese vessel resulting in a
four-hour standoff. The PCG had five encounters with Taiwan
Millan said that
apart from securing Batanes, “we have navy personnel deployed in strategic
areas nationwide for their roles to secure mission essential
facilities used for monitoring activities in maritime domain.”
Millan said
the increased presence in Batanes was based on the guidance of AFP Chief Staff
Gen. Gregorio Catapang. Similar units have also been deployed in Zambales,
considered as the gateway to the West Philippine Sea where certain islets and
territories are disputed by China
Millan also
stressed the need to improve the system and procedures in
accordance with the military’s development, a strategic program embodied in the
modernization efforts to fortify the country’s territorial integrity.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/06/26/navy-beefing-up-batanes-forces/
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