Philippine soldier Tychico Octobre patrols a beach in Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) at the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan. AFP FILE PHOTO / POOL / RITCHIE B. TONGO
MANILA, Philippines — To protect the country’s maritime interests amid China’s continuing presence in the West Philippine Sea, House strategic intelligence committee chair and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has filed a bill seeking to create and maintain naval forward operating bases (FOBs).
Under House Bill 9420, or the proposed Philippine Navy Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Act, a total of 12 naval outposts or forward operating bases will be maintained in the country’s coasts.
A forward operating base is defined by the bill as an outpost where the Navy can carry out its basic functions and duties, which can later be upgraded and expanded for national security purposes.
Four of these FOBs will be in Luzon’s western seaboard specifically in Lubang Island in Mindoro Occidental; Subic Bay in Zambales; and in the Palawan towns of Busuanga and Balabac. The creation of these FOBs would require a budget of P5 billion, according to the bill.
Meanwhile, FOBs in Polillo Island in Quezon, and in the towns of Divilacan and Casiguran in Isabela and Aurora will keep the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) under watch.
Pimentel’s bill comes in the wake of another diplomatic protest lodged by the Department of Foreign Affairs against the “incessant deployment, prolonged presence, and illegal activities” of Chinese maritime and fishing vessels in the vicinity of the Pag-asa Island.
“We are duty-bound to protect and preserve the vast natural gas deposits as well as the lush marine life in our strategic waters for the enjoyment of future generations of Filipinos,” Pimentel said in a statement on Sunday.
Another five FOBs will also be located on Mavulis Island in Batanes; Allen, Northern Samar; Surigao City; Sarangani, Davao Occidental; and in Mapun Island in Tawi-Tawi.
“We expect the outposts to serve as the future staging and resupply sites for the Navy’s new generation of warships and battle craft,” Pimentel said.
Meanwhile, to boost its combat capabilities, the Philippine Navy is procuring 16 new warships –four frigates and 12 corvettes – between now and 2028. This is on top of the two multi-role guided missile frigates that were recently put into service.
Also included in the Navy’s shopping list are 18 offshore patrol vessels, 40 fast attack interdiction craft and 42 smaller multi-purpose assault boats.