Gibo, Brawner inspect naval base in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines —  As the country ratchets up efforts to upgrade its defense capabilities, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited on Thursday key naval facilities in Palawan that are considered of “strategic importance.”

The AFP said Oster Bay Naval Detachment and Balabac Island, which the two officials visited, are under the Western Command, whose operational jurisdiction covers the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Balabac Island is a new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement site to which US troops have access. There are eight other EDCA sites across the country.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Teodoro and Brawner aimed to assess ongoing infrastructure developments in the two facilities.

He noted that Oster Bay, along with projects in Balabac, had been ordered fast-tracked by President Marcos.

“They hold strategic importance and are crucial in external defense to protect Philippine sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said.

He added Balabac is also being readied as forward operating base for the Philippine Air Force.

He explained Teodoro’s and Brawner’s visit to the naval facilities has proven the commitment of the Department of National Defense and AFP to enhance the nation’s military infrastructure in response to evolving security challenges.

Oster Bay Naval Detachment is where rotation and resupply vessels are based before their deployment to military outposts in the WPS to deliver food and provisions, particularly to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.