AFP chief: Strategic bases to rise in PH's eastern seaboard

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said strategic bases will be set up to protect the country's eastern seaboard, where the resource-rich Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise), is located.

In a recent interview, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said that these facilities would be part of the adjustments made under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

"We're projecting our defenses up to our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and then aside from that we are also now looking into our strategic basing, so pati dito na rin dito sa (even in our) eastern seaboard ay gumagawa na rin tayo ng mga hakbang para gumawa ng mga (we are taking steps to create) strategic bases on the eastern seaboard," he added.

Brawner said this would complement similar facilities being established in other parts of the Philippines.

Aside from countering possible armed attacks, Brawner said the decision to construct strategic bases in the eastern seaboard is also part of efforts to protect the country's resources.

"And we all know that (the) Benham Rise or Philippine Rise is rich in natural resources, yun naman yung CADC natin (our CADC), it's not just (for) protecting, defending the archipelago, (it also includes the) EEZ, kaya tayo nag-extend sa (that's why we extended into the) EEZ because we both want to protect our sovereign rights, yung mga mangingisda natin ay malaya na mapangisda dyan, exploration dapat malaya tayong nag-eexplore dito, pati dito, dapat tayo lang tayo nageexploit ng mga resources dito sa EEZ natin (our fishermen should be able to fish freely there, we should be able to explore there freely, and we must be able to exploit the resources found there)," the AFP chief said.

Brawner added that these bases would possibly be equipped with radars and missile systems to protect the EEZ.

"(That will be our) long-term (goal), that we will be able to protect the entire archipelago," he added.

These plans will be made possible with future modernization programs to be undertaken by the military, Brawner said.

He added that the budget for these facilities will be incorporated in the upcoming AFP budgets.

"For example for 2025 naglagay na tayo strategic basing natin na requirements (we have put a requirement for strategic basing)," Brawner said. (Priam Nepomuceno)