WPS BASTION. An aerial view taken on March 9, 2023 shows Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea. As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: ‘Leave immediately.’ AFP
President underscores ‘big role’ Palawan plays in nat’l security
The development of an airport on Pag-asa Island is among the priorities of the government, President Marcos said Thursday.
Pag-asa, the largest island the Philippines controls in Spratlys, is at least 285 nautical miles off Palawan.
Mr. Marcos also said the military runway project at the Balabac Island airbase is nearing completion.
Balabac is a town in Palawan strategically close to Chinese fortifications in the West Philippine Sea and is one of the four additional locations for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.
“The construction of the Balabac military runway is in the last phase, especially because Palawan plays a big role in national security,” Mr. Marcos said during the distribution of assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families affected by the dry spell at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City.
Last year, Speaker Martin Romualdez, during his visit to Pag-asa Island, committed to pour at least P3 billion to construct the airport in the island municipality and other development projects.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea with its so-called 10-dash line that stretches more than 1,500 km. off its mainland and encroaches on the respective exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
An international arbitral ruling in 2016 has dismissed the line as having no legal basis.
As this developed, the the National Security Council said the rotation and resupply (RoRE) missions of Philippines will stay as purely Manila’s operations despite the option for the United States to help.
“As far as the RORE is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely PH operation utilizing PH ships, personnel and leadership,” NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
“(However), that may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present. As far as current policy is concerned, the US as a treaty ally is assisting us in training our armed forces so we do joint exercises frequently,” he added.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and his United States counterpart Lloyd Austin engaged in a phone conversation to discuss “the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate—safely and responsibly—wherever international law allows.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Patrick Ryder in a readout said that Austin expressed the “ironclad” support of the US for the Philippines amid its ongoing maritime challenges in the West Philippine Sea.
“Both officials also welcomed opportunities for frequent communication as a core part of their commitment to strengthening the US-Philippines alliance in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” Ryder said.
