Philippines upgrades naval base near disputed sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy has modernized its command center near the West Philippine Sea amid the long-standing territorial dispute with China.

Marking its 116th anniversary on Tuesday, the Navy showcased before President Benigno Aquino III the improved capabilities of the Naval Forces West (NFW) Command Center in the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Palawan.

According to Aquino, the naval post is the primary operational command that secures the country's interests in the West Philippine Sea. It is at the forefront of territorial defense operations in the Kalayaan Island Group.

"Ibig sabihin: Ang pagpapaunlad ng mga kagamitan natin dito, ay pagpapaigting din sa seguridad ng ating teritoryo at ng ating mga kapwa-Pilipino sa mga lugar na ito. Bawat pisong inilaan sa istasyong ito ay may katumbas na pag-angat ng pambansang dangal at pagkapanatag ng ating mga mamamayan," the President said in his speech.

The Navy is improving its facilities in Palawan given the strategic location of the NFW command center and naval station, Aquino said.

"This is our closest geographical facility to an area where we have a lot of interest. And instead of delaying the ability of our forces to respond to anything, be it a man-made or a natural disaster, then it is logical to put them in a position where they can address the particular issue at the soonest possible time," Aquino later told reporters in an interview.

"It is in furtherance of our interest rather than in anticipation of anybody else’s acts," he added.

Aquino said the improved capabilities and equipment of the naval post include those related to weather and media monitoring and a tracking system that could locate movements and directions of seacraft within a 30-kilometer area.

Also part of the improvements in the command center, Aquino said, are the Downlink System and the Satellite-Based Maritime Surveillance System that will boost the Navy's maritime watch and response.

Aquino said the video teleconferencing system that is now in place will help the communication between the NFW and the Navy  headquarters.

"Ang mga pagbabago pong ito, bahagi lang ng malawakan nating istratehiya upang makamit ang mga layunin ng atin pong Philippine Navy," Aquino said.