MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy plans to convert two retired oil platforms near Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea as observation posts. Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo inspected on Saturday the Nido and Matinloc platforms located northwest off the shores of Palawan.
The two oil fields closed in November last year after producing at least 40 million barrels of oil for 40 years.
“This inspection intends to look at the viability of these retired gas platforms to be converted to observation posts for Recto Bank and Malampaya gas platform. This will further enhance our capability to protect our maritime interests in these strategic locations,” Bacordo said in a statement on Sunday.
The facilities can also serve as shelter.
—Dexter Cabalza