The Philippine Navy (PN) now has the capability to detect
and monitor unauthorized shipping planning to enter Batanes waters.
This is due to the installation and activation of the
so-called "littoral observatory station" for maritime situational
awareness, PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan said in a
message to the PNA.
Maritime situational awareness refers to the capability to
detect, monitor and if necessary, drive away intruding water craft from one's
territorial waters.
He said that the facility is support to the National Coast
Watch System.
"Temporarily, it is co-located (at the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA in
Basco, Batanes) since it is also an inter-agency monitoring tool," the PN
chief said.
No other specifics were given for security reasons.
Earlier, the PN announced that it is beefing up its its presence
in strategic locations which includes the Batanes Islands
Encounters with Taiwanese fishermen conducting illegal
fishing operations off Batanes waters have been on the rise for the past few
months.
"We have PN personnel deployed in strategic areas
nationwide including Batanes for their roles to secure mission essential
facilities used for monitoring activities for maritime domain," Millan
said.
Similar units have also been deployed off Zambales,
considered to be the gateway of the West Philippine Sea .
The PN chief is also hoping that with the support of the
government and the local government units, the Navy can set up
"capabilities for monitoring and response in partnership with the
Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department
of Science and Technology, and the local government unit."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=790707
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.