Military chief inspects Kalayaan Island in Spratlys

Aerial view of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan Group of Islands, Palawan as seen from the cockpit of a PAF C-130T.  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, visited last Monday Pag-asa Island in the Spratly archipelago, which the military plans to turn into a logistics hub.

“Our visit was very smooth and I was able to go around the island and assess what we need to do to really make it as a logistics hub in coordination with the local government,” Sobejana said.

He expressed confidence that his visit and plans to convert the island into a logistics hub would not spark tension with China, saying, “It is our territory so we can do, we can pursue whatever plan we have for as long as it is for the best interest of our country.”

Before Sobejana’s visit to Pag-asa Island, he met with and commended the 3rd Marine brigade and the Marine battalion landing team 4 who were awarded with campaign streamers and P500,000 cash.