AFP opens forward operating base in Batanes

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now operating a new naval base in Batanes, boosting the country’s northernmost territorial defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities.

Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) commander Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca led the inauguration of the Mahatao Forward Operating Base (FOB) on Thursday with Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta.

Batanes Gov. Ronald Aguto Jr. and Commodore Edward Ike Sagon, commander of the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLVC), also witnessed the ceremony.

“The Mahatao Forward Operating Base strengthens our ability to defend the northern frontier and ensures that NOLCOM, together with the Province of Batanes, can respond swiftly to both security challenges and disasters,” Buca said during the inauguration.

“This partnership with the local government shows how national defense and local governance work hand in hand for the protection of our people,” he added.

NOLCOM public information office chief Lt. Col. Mario Bautista Jr. said the Mahatao FOB represents a strong partnership between the AFP and the provincial government of Batanes.

Located in the coastal town of Mahatao, the base will host Navy and Marine units under the NLVC and the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10, he explained.

He said these units are tasked with securing the Batanes Strait, monitoring maritime activities and supporting interagency operations.

Bautista said the establishment of the Mahatao FOB ensures closer collaboration between NOLCOM and the local government unit in sustaining peace, security and disaster response in the island province.

He noted that Batanes holds strategic value as the closest Philippine province to Taiwan and a gateway to both the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Sea.

“The Mahatao FOB strengthens the country’s ability to protect sovereignty, expand maritime domain awareness and respond rapidly to emergencies in the northern frontier,” Bautista said.

“NOLCOM remains steadfast in its mandate as a jointly engaged, sustainment-maintained and readiness-trained force, defending Northern Luzon while working hand in hand with local stakeholders to protect communities and uphold national security,” he added.

China, not Vietnam, is aggressor – PCG

The Philippines should confront China instead of Vietnam, if the country persists in upholding its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

China has exhibited “the clearest and most dangerous violations of our sovereignty and sovereign rights” by “(occupying) Mischief Reef since 1995, a low-tide elevation just 130 nautical miles from Palawan, their illegal deployment of their maritime forces in Scarborough Shoal since 2012 and the persistent bullying of our PCG, BFAR vessels and fishing boats,” he wrote in a post on his X account on Thursday evening.

“It is China that has repeatedly bullied our people and endangered the AFP and PCG through aggressive actions – lasers, water cannons and deliberate ramming,” he pointed out.

He added China’s actions were in contrast to those of Vietnam, wherein “the status quo is that they occupy those features without any aggressive actions.”

“Since the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Vietnam has not occupied any new features and has never disturbed our presence in our occupied features. This reflects a longstanding presence, not new expansionism,” explained Tarriela.

He said further, “While the Philippines rightfully raises concerns over Vietnam’s reclamation activities, it is critical to recognize that Vietnam has occupied its features for decades.”

Tarriela published his X post in response to Facebook posts by retired brigadier general Orlando de Leon, former deputy commander of the military Western Mindanao Command, who had called out Vietnamese presence in the WPS.

China insists Philippine causing trouble

China again accused the Philippines yesterday of being the one causing trouble in the South China Sea (SCS), where Chinese military and coast guard vessels continue to roam and harass Philippine vessels within the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippine side, however, has repeatedly courted influence from outside powers to make waves in this area, playing the role of an ass in the lion’s skin,” Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, said.

“Its acts have jeopardized regional security and stability. Reality has proven time and again that the Philippine side is the one who undermines stability and makes troubles in the South China Sea,” he added.

Zhang, at a press conference, issued the statement after being asked to comment on the holding of joint and combined military exercises involving the Philippines, Australia, Canada and the United States under Exercise ALON (Amphibious and Land Operations) 2025.

He again criticized how other countries are involving themselves in the SCS or West Philippine Sea issues between China and the Philippines.

“At the same time, certain external countries have instigated and supported the Philippines to take irresponsible actions that harm the shared interests of regional countries,” he said.

“China’s actions to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are justified and legitimate. We will take firm countermeasures against any provocative behaviors,” Zhang declared.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and the AFP had earlier repeatedly stressed that defense cooperation between the Philippines and its partner nations are internal initiatives and that China has no business interfering with the country’s efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities and alliance with like-minded states that support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Measures in place vs ‘sleeper agents’

Meanwhile, the country’s security forces have put all systems in place to neutralize threats posed by foreign “sleeper agents” or spies, Malacañang said on Friday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro gave the assurance after Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned many Chinese sleeper agents and operatives of the People’s Liberation Army have been quietly embedded in the Philippines.

“We cannot go into specifics for security reasons, but we can assure the public that our security forces are actively monitoring and addressing these threats,” Castro said at a press briefing, quoting the National Security Council (NSC).

“The government does not take espionage lightly, and we act swiftly when credible intelligence is verified,” Castro said.

“Recent operations have already led to the arrest of suspected foreign operatives, which shows that our agencies are not standing still. We are working closely with law enforcement and intelligence units to dismantle espionage networks wherever they may be,” she added, again quoting the NSC. — Artemio Dumlao, Ghio Ong, Helen Flores