A momentous event for
the Philippines Pag-asa island in the Kalayaan Island Group, as the Department
of Defense (DND) visited the island to inaugurate the much needed and long
delayed beaching ramp that would allow Philippine sea assets to dock in the
area.
Led by its head
Delfin Lorenzana the visiting group is composed of Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Felimon Santos Jr., Navy Flag
Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo, Air Force chief Lt. Gen.
Allen Paredes, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay and newly installed AFP
Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria.
The said inauguration
also marks the first time that top brasses from the DND and the AFP visited the
Philippine held territory.
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| Beach ramp in Pag-asa island, Muncipality of Kalayaan (photo credit to owner) |
The cemented beaching ramp also known as the “AFP Basing Support System
at Pag-asa Island Project”, completes the Phase One of the government’s Master
Development Plan for the island which is part of Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
The beaching ramp will be utilized for both
military and civilian use.
“We can now proceed
with the other projects planned for Pag-asa Island. This is a necessary first
step which will facilitate the transportation of essential construction
equipment to the island,” Lorenzana said.
He beaching ramp is but
one of the many projects intended to improve the living conditions of the
people in the island which is under the Municipality of Kalayaan.
Chinese vessels were spotted
During the military
visit, several different Chinese vessels were spotted circling the waters of
the island.
Lorenzana said there
is no caused for concern as long as Filipino fishermen and residents of the
island are not harassed or intimidated.
“This is Kalayaan Island Group. This is outside
our EEZ (exclusive economic zone). But we have claims here. We have 9 islands
here. This (Pag-asa Island) is the biggest. And all of those islands are
occupied by our people. So, we have presence here,” asserted Lorenzana.
“Maybe it’s because they’re seeing high-ranking
officials are now coming here. We are solidifying our claim in the area. They
pose as fishermen, but we know that they are militias. As long as they don’t
molest or hurt our fishermen, they can stay there,” he added.
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