Saturday, July 4, 2020

PH Rise marks 4th anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 4, 2020): PH Rise marks 4th anniversary



PH RISE 4TH ANNIVERSARY. Officials from the Area Task Force-North and the provincial government of Cagayan lead the send-off for the Philippine Navy’s maritime vessel BRP Quezon (PS-70) and the Naval Task Unit 11.6.1. in Sta. Ana, Cagayan on June 10, 2020. The contingent is tasked to navigate and patrol the areas of the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise). (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

The Area Task Force-North under National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, and Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) together with local government officials of Cagayan province celebrated the commemoration of Philippine Rise on June 10 with a send-off ceremony of Maritime and Air Patrols at Port Irene, Sta Ana, Cagayan.

The celebration commemorated the 4th anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise pursuant to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signing of Executive Order 25 on May 16, 2017.

It also marked the eighth year after the then Benham Rise was awarded to the country and granted sovereign rights by the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in April 2012.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., served as the guest of honor and speaker in the anniversary program and send-off ceremony of personnel of the Naval Task Unit 11.6. who will conduct Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) and Maritime Air Surveillance in Philippine territorial waters.

The Barko ng Republika (BRP) Quezon and Naval Aircraft 320 will be used for the patrolling to better protect and assert the country’s sovereign rights over the maritime area.

Santos highlighted the significance of the Philippine Rise to the Philippines’ sovereignty and freedom.

“We commemorate this anniversary to raise awareness of its importance, to maintain marine conservation and protection, and to assert our sovereign rights,” Santos said in his speech.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen Ramiro Manuel Rey, Nolcom commander and head of Area Task Force- North, vowed security of the country’s territorial waters.

“We, the whole of Nolcom and ATF-North, will see to it that our territorial waters and maritime interests are secured, our services are at the disposal of the Filipinos if needed,” he said.

ATF-North is an inter-agency coordinating body that plans and executes programs of the government in relation to maritime domain awareness, maritime security patrols and maritime presence over the Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, Luzon Strait in Batanes Province and the Philippine Rise east of Aurora Province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107957

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