By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
ON BOARD BRP DAVAO DEL SUR — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it wants to build a naval base in Casiguran, Aurora to ensure that the Philippine Rise was protected against intrusions.
“We are just here to implement the desire of our president, the desire of our nation to create a public awareness that this place, the Philippine Rise, is ours,” Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, chief of the Northern Luzon Command, said.
Outside the BRP Davao del Sur, vessels from the Coastguard and the Philippine Navy swarmed off the waters underneath which the Philippine Rise was found.
Philippine Air Force Fa50 fighter jets also held a fly-by nearby.
According to Defense Undersecretary Cardoso Luna, “pinapakita natin na ito ay binabatayan natin, ito ay pag-aari natin.”
“Kumbaga nilalagyan natin ng bakod. Di pupwede na kahit sino ay papasok dito at mag-aangkin ng ating teritoryo,” he said.
He said researchers would also be given full use of the BRP Gregorio Velasquez, a research vessel, in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement they be given full support by the government.
