The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is eyeing El Nido in Palawan as its principal hub for its operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it step up its presence in the territory that is being disputed primarily by China.
The plan to convert El Nido into an operational hub that could pave way for the development of a PCG base was disclosed by Commodore Armand Balilo following the visit to Kalayaan, Palawan of PCG Commandant George Ursabia Jr. on Tuesday.
“Will also make EL Nido the hub of PCG operations in WPS. We are looking to establish a Coast Guard base in the near future,” said Balilo, who is also the Coast Guard spokesman.
Aside from using El Nido as its staging point and building a base there for its maritime patrol operations in the WPS, Balilo said the PCG also plans to improve its current station in Pagasa Island.
“There is a plan to further improve the PCG station in Pagasa for monitoring purposes, especially on maritime safety and search and rescue. This is for the fishermen,” he said.
Ursabia visited Pagasa Island and checked on the status of the PCG station there and its personnel, where according to Balilo, the commandant’s party was not challenged by Chinese vessels.
“His visit is to ensure that every PCG personnel even at our most remote territories are in high spirit and doing their respective roles right to echo the resolve of the President to ensure the safety and well-being of our fishermen and the coastal communities in all parts of the country, including the WPS,” Balilo said.
While in Pagasa, Ursabia honored PCG personnel who have been deployed to “uphold maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime safety, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection.”
Ursabia bestowed the “Award of Distinguished Coast Guard Cross and Ribbon” in sincere appreciation to the efforts and sacrifices of station commander of LTJG (lieutenant junior grade) Elwin Madridano and the 16 personnel of PCG station in Kalayaan.
“We recognize your heroism in the face of great danger above and beyond the call of duty, most especially in conducting maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea. On behalf of your Coast Guard family and the entire Filipino nation, we thank you for your humble and compassionate public service,” Ursabia said.
At the same time, the commandant challenged all the members of the PCG to step up their presence in the WPS and “fly the national flag with a sense of pride.”
Ursabia recognized the PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels that maintain maritime security and safety in the WPS, including the BRP Malapascua, BRP Capones, BRP Francisco Dagohoy, MCS-3001, MCS-3002, MCS-3004, MCS-3005, and BRP Habagat.
“These are the two main objectives that we need to accomplish: stepping up our presence and flying the Philippine flag with a sense of pride because the West Philippine Sea is ours! But then, we should not forget that it is also a contested area,” Ursabia said.
“There are others claiming that it is also theirs. But of course, we will not surrender the territory. It is ours! Hence, we have to do our part in a peaceful and rules-based manner,” he stressed.
Navy FOBs
The chairman of the House Strategic Intelligence Committee has called for the establishment of naval “forward operating bases [FOBs]” in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, in a news statement, urged the Philippine Navy to secure the area amid persistent Chinese incursions.
“We want the Philippine Navy positioned to prevent China from asserting administrative control over any reefs, rocks or lagoons within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone,” he said.
According to Pimentel, the Navy should put up new FOBs in Palawan —one in the Municipality of Balabac and one in the Municipality of Busuanga—as part of its strategic basing plan, plus a third FOB in Subic Bay, which is only 123 nautical miles west of Bajo de Masinloc.
“We should avoid a repeat of the 2012 incident where China was able to occupy Bajo de Masinloc,” Pimentel stressed.
In military parlance, an FOB is a secured outpost that can serve as a springboard for sustained remote operations.
“We expect the Navy’s two lead warships to be posted in the FOBs and to routinely operate in the West Philippine Sea,” Pimentel said, referring to the multi-role guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.
Pimentel also said he is counting on the Philippine Coast Guard to constantly deploy its lead ship—the French-made 84-meter offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang—in the waters threatened by unwanted Chinese forays.
“Both the Coast Guard and the Navy should marshal their best defensive fighting assets in the waters where we are most vulnerable,” Pimentel said.
In the 2012 standoff, the lawmaker said, Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels blocked access to Bajo de Masinloc. They thwarted the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from accosting Chinese boats caught illegally fishing in the area.
As part of a deal brokered by the United States government, he said both China and the Philippines were supposed to withdraw their ships from Bajo de Masinloc.
“However, after the Philippines had pulled out, China reneged and kept occupying the chain of coral reefs and rocks that forms part of the Municipality of Masinloc in Zambales province,” Pimentel added.
Image credits: Stephen Green Price | Dreamstime.com