DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has batted for increased military presence in Batanes, the country’s northernmost province.
Teodoro quoted the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) as saying a higher “operational tempo for the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)” would be implemented starting this year.
Teodoro visited on Tuesday the military’s naval detachment in Mavulis Island and inspected the on-going construction of the Naval Forward Operating Base Mahatao in Batan Island.
He was joined by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and other ranking military officials.
The visit underscored the significance of strengthening the country’s territorial defense capabilities necessary to protect the country, the NFNL said.
“He (Teodoro) also called for the development of more structures, noting that Batanes is the ‘spearhead’ of the Philippines as far as the northern baseline is concerned,” the statement added.
The NFNL said the defense chief likewise sought to bolster interagency cooperation between the AFP and other agencies, especially the local government units, to protect stakeholders such as fishermen and other
maritime-related agencies.
Meanwhile, Brawner thanked the soldiers deployed in Mavulis Island for their dedication to duties and selflessness in taking on the remote assignment.
“What you’re doing here in Mavulis is essential to our territorial defense, in safeguarding our sovereignty, and in the performance of our mission as protector of the people and the state. I am very thankful to all of you,” Brawner noted.