PUERTO PRINCESA CITY , Philippines – The formal turnover of the headquarters and boatyard facilities of the Special Boat Unit (SBU) in Barangay Sta. Lourdes here to the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group the other day is “a dream come true,” PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said.
An idea born about three years ago, the SBU aims to strengthen the capabilities of the PNP-Maritime Group to enforce the country’s maritime and environmental laws, including other police functions against insurgency and terrorism, Verzosa said.
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, guest of honor and speaker, cited the importance of “doing things together, sharing experiences, expertise and resources.”
Realized as a joint effort between the Philippine and US governments and backstopped by several agencies, including the city government of Puerto Princesa, the SBU has become an example of effective collaboration to protect the country, keep sea lanes open, promote the rule of law and respect for human rights, and safeguard the environment, Kenney said.
Thanking his special guests, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn acknowledged the important role that Puerto Princesa in particular and Palawan in general play in international trade and commerce because of their strategic location as an important international shipping lane.
“We also understand that the so-called Coral Triangle, the richest in marine biodiversity in the entire world, is in the Sulu-Sulawesi area, which includes Palawan. In view of the declining fish stocks in almost all oceans of the world, preserving the integrity of the Sulu-Sulawesi becomes an international concern,” he said.
“We can therefore appreciate the reason why, among the many different branches of our armed forces, it is the PNP Maritime Group that has been given the lead role in this Special Boat Unit. That, to us, implies that the reason for being of this unit is more on marine protection which, I can assure you, we are very happy about,” he added.