Plan to move Air Force, Navy to Subic 'strategic, cost efficient'

MANILA, Philippines - The plan to move Air Force and Navy forces to Subic is “cost efficient” and would enable them to closely monitor the country’s maritime domain, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said Subic is being considered for the project due to its deep water port that can accommodate large ships like the Navy frigates BRP Gregorio del Pilar and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

The two ships were acquired by the government to enhance its territorial defense capabilities.

Galvez said Subic also has a runway and airport facilities, making it easier to move Air Force units from Clark.

“Because of these facilities, you do not have to do much so we will generate savings,” the defense official said.

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

Galvez said “a confluence of events” prodded them to look into the project but declined to elaborate.

He admitted that recent developments in the West Philippine Sea and the need to protect the country’s maritime domain were considered.

“We are looking at how this can be implemented. We do not have specific timelines yet,” he said.

Galvez said Sangley Point in Cavite would eventually be controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The Sangley Point is home to the Philippine Fleet, one of the two type commands of the Philippine Navy.

Clark, meanwhile, is being eyed for commercial expansion to promote economic activity. The Clark Airbase in Pampanga serves as the home of the Air Logistics Command, 410th Maintenance Wing, 420th Supply Wing, 600th Air Base Wing and the 710th Special Operations Wing.

Galvez said details about the costs and funding sources are still being threshed out.

The Associated Press earlier reported that the plan to relocate the Navy and Air Force camps to Subic was meant “to gain faster access to the West Philippine Sea.”

The report quoted Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin as saying that they were still looking for funds to bankroll the project.

Citing “confidential” government documents, AP said the transfer to Subic would cut reaction time by a fighter aircraft to West Philippine Sea areas by more than three minutes compared with flying from Clark.

The wire report said the cost of repairs and improvements for an air force base in Subic would be at least P5.1 billion

“That compares with an estimated P11 billion ($256 million) that it would cost to build a new air force base, because the vast Subic complex about 80 kilometer west of Manila already has a world-class runway and aviation facilities,” it read.