Unknown to many, the Philippine Navy (PN) is capable of
steaming or deploying 78 percent of its fleet of patrol and logistic vessels at
any given time.
This was stressed by PN flag officer-in-command Rear Admiral
Caesar Taccad during the presentation of the proposed 2016 budget of the
Department of National Defense (DND) before the House of Representatives
Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.
Taccad was responding to questions from the lawmakers on
whether the PN can sail to show the flag and protect Philippine territory from
poachers and other threats.
The PN chief also said that it is using its aircraft to
project Philippine sovereignty over the Scarborough
(Panatag) Shoal which lies 124 nautical miles off Zambales.
The area is currently under Chinese control.
As of this posting, the PN has on its inventory 124 fleet
marine units ready for various contingencies.
Taccad said that 78 percent of these units can steam if
needed, adding that these ships are not merely sitting alongside piers.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=801563
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