Finally
The runway in Pagasa Island is apparently being repaired. Photos from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies show two barges at one end of the runway. One seems to be carrying a backhoe while the other a large crane with a bucket. The photos also showed freshly-laid sand at the edge of the runway. There was no official announcement from the government besides the generic statement from Roque after the pictures were made known. Defense Secretary Lorenzana visited Pagasa last year, and announced the billion-peso rehabilitation slated for the island. But it never really pushed through. We very well know how much President Duterte avoids angering China.
I really hope they fix Pagasa Island, the largest of the Philippine-controlled islands. Pagasa is also one of the largest natural islands in the Spratlys. Those who live on the island have expected repairs and rehabilitation for the longest time. Hopefully not just the runway, but all the structures and utilities. The country owes it to those who chose to stay on the island to strengthen our claims.
I just hope merely providing a "band-aid" repair to the runway is not what the government had in mind. The runway itself needs to be upgraded. Upgraded into a runway where planes can actually take-off and land with confidence. The current coral runway is short. Pilots have resorted to extreme braking in order not to end up in the ocean. When the runway gets a soaking, it turns to mud. Planes do not land on or take-off from mud. I can understand the "runway envy" we all have as we see the photos of other countries' runways. Their structures are much better to house their soldiers and citizens. They have their own electricity. I would assume they have a way to desalinate seawater. There are docks for large ships. One of the islands apparently has a resort that is frequented by tourists. We're not even talking about China's "Big 3."
If China does protest the repairs, I hope this administration takes a stand and continues the work. According to a former commander of the Western Command (Wescom), he felt "their efforts defending, preserving our territorial integrity became useless." They stood their ground in the face of a giant. They know what they swore to --to defend the country at all costs, no matter what, no matter whom. According to him, China will not risk a shooting war, because it knows the consequences, the repercussions. We still have defense treaties with the US. They may not start a conflict on their own, but they should come to the country's aid if we are attacked. The only thing we have to "show China is that we have the balls to face them." He also thinks the country should assert the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision in junking China's large territorial claims. I'm thinking this former Wescom commander does not have a current position in government, like most retired military officers do. He thinks like a soldier, not a politician.
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