‘Confluence of events’ led RP to put bases near contested sea — DND

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 30): ‘Confluence of events’ led RP to put bases near contested sea — DND

A “confluence of events,” including threats aired against the country’s territorial waters in the South China Sea, prompted the planned transfer of some Air Force and Navy unites in Subic Bay, Zambales province, the Department of Defense (DND) yesterday said.

DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said the plan came out after efforts for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to take over Sangle Point in Cavite, and the programmed commercial expansion at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

He added the DND considers Subic Bay, a former naval base of the United States, as the best alternative for Air Force and Navy units that would be displaced by the CAAP’s takeover of Sangley Point and Clark expansion.

Subic Bay is only 200 to 300 kilometers away from the South China Sea, an area that Chinese maritime ships are known to intrude into heavily.

According to Galvez, Subic is “very strategic” in terms of location, and its deep water port is suitable for huge ships like the Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar and up-coming BRP Ramon Alcaraz, both weather high endurance cutters (WHECs).

“It just so happens that there was a confluence of events…the best alternative was Subic having a deep water port for our two WHECs…and then we also have the existing runway, airport facilities for the Air Force units…there is not much to be done so there is cost savings,” he stressed.

“At the same time, location is very strategic, it has intrinsic features that make it a perfect area for the Air Force and Navy,” Galvez added.

Currently, Sangley Point serves as headquarters of the Navy’s Philippine Fleet, while the Air Force has its 1st Air Division and Air Logistics Center, among other major units, stationed in Clark Air Base.

Galvez, however, stressed the transfer move is still in the “discussion stage.”

The issue on the disputed South China Sea, where China has maintained presence in Philippine-owned areas like Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal in Zambales and Second Thomas (Ayungin Shoal), an area in the Spratlys, was only a co-incident, he said.

“Apparently, it was coincidental that those came about…but it has always been looked into as very good area for us to address issues…of course, there are maritime issues, protection of our EEZ (exclusive economic zone), monitoring of our maritime domain…so confluence of all these factors,” Galvez stressed.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has earlier said the government plans to transfer air and naval forces to Subic Bay as soon as relocation funds are available amid negotiations with the United States on a proposal to position US military equipment and rotate military forces in the country while avoiding the contentious issue of re-establishing permanent bases.

The country has a small navy and air force and relies heavily on support from the US, a close ally, to modernize its military and upgrade its capabilities. Part of this relationship has involved regular short-term visits by American military forces for joint training, humanitarian work and disaster response.

Gazmin said the plan to reactivate Subic as a military base is meant for “the protection of the West Philippine Sea” which is how the government calls the South China Sea.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/17308-confluence-of-events-led-rp-to-put-bases-near-contested-sea-dnd