MANILA, Philippines – The country’s first line of defense against external security threats is already 60 per cent complete with just a few adjustments to make it fully operational, Navy chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez announced yesterday.
Dubbed Coast Watch Philippines, Cortez said this first line of defense is envisioned after Coast Watch South now in full operation and monitoring major activities in the sea lanes, particularly in southern Mindanao.
Coast Watch South is a combined anti-terror undertaking by the United States, Australian and Philippine governments to monitor and intercept local and foreign terrorists leaving and entering the country through the southern backdoor.
The US and British governments have installed monitoring systems at various key points in the country.
“Our Coast Watch Philippines is 60 percent complete and I intend to pursue this project under my watch as Navy chief,” Cortez said.
Cortez took over the reign of the more than 20,000-strong Navy yesterday, succeeding Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez who retired from the service.
After installation of these radar monitoring systems are completed, Cortez said technical people will be working to “harmonize and integrate operations” of the two systems to be fully operational.
Cortez declined to elaborate on the details of the project for security reasons.
It was learned, however, the project involved key government and private agencies that are sending out actual time information on what is happening in the country’s major sea lanes.
“We will endeavor to enhance the connectivity of the existing and newly-built radar stations with the Coast Watch Center. Once fully operational, we can monitor all significant activities in all of the country’s major sea lanes,” Cortez said.
A Naval officer added Coast Watch Philippine will function just like the US’s 911, wherein people will be manning its nerve center and relay all significant events monitored via installed radar stations in key points of the country.
“This will not only involve the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) but other government agencies. If they see something illegal like smuggling and illegal fishing activities, the center will immediately relay this to the nearest Naval or Coast Guard station for immediate action,” the official said.
The same procedures will also be followed if there are air or sea intrusions by unfriendly military forces or unidentified vessels or aircraft.
“So this is our first line of defense. If the threat is monitored on the country’s airspace, the Air Force will be immediately informed for appropriate action. If it is on the sea, then our Navy will be dispatched,” the officer said.