Navy plans to improve Spratly's structures

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Navy intends to improve its military facilities in the Spratly Group of Islands to be at par with those being used and occupied by forces of other claimant countries now stationed in the area.

But Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez admitted that this plan may have to wait a little while because of the impact of the global economic downturn on the country.

The military’s improvement plans in the Spratlys, Golez emphasized, have nothing to do with any prevailing threats in the area, as there are none.

In fact, he said, the Navy intends to challenge foreign troops stationed in nearby islands and atolls not on sea warfare but to friendly competitions.

Golez said the Navy is planning to challenge the Vietnamese and Chinese forces, as well as the Taiwanese soldiers, to ball games, swimming and boat rowing.

He said these friendly games, if they materialize, are expected to further bolster the prevailing peaceful co-existence of all forces from claimant-countries stationed in the area.

Of the six claimant-countries in the Spratlys, only China, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines have deployed troops.

“There is no threat. We see to it (that) we peacefully co-exist in the area. In fact, we are even thinking of conducting friendly games between our people like ball games, rowing, and the like,” Golez said.

He said the improvement plans in the area are intended mainly for the troops’ billeting facilities due to the harsh weather conditions there.

However, under present conditions, it is very difficult to conduct improvements, not only because of financial constraints but also due to the process of hauling materials and equipment from mainland Palawan.

He said the AFP is already spending P5 million a year for the maintenance of military facilities in the area.

In improving these existing structures, the AFP needs around P50 million to bankroll development projects that include the extension of the runway in Pag-asa island.

Golez said that China, Vietnam and Taiwan have already constructed solid structures in the area.

“From temporary materials they now have helipads. Some of them did not have a runway before, now they have runways,” he said.

Filipino airmen, sailors and Marines are deployed on a rotation basis in Parola Island (Northeast Cay), Pag-asa (Thitu Island), Kota (Loaita Island), Likas (West York Island), Lawak (Nanshan Island), Patag (Flag Island) and Panata (Lankiam Cay).