Navy increases proposed number of small bases to 28

The Philippine Navy on Wednesday that it has increased its suggested number of “forward operating bases” (FOBs) or small bases under the proposed Philippine Navy Archipelagic Defense Act.

“We decided to increase the number to FOB from the 15 that we have submitted last meeting to the 28 that the Flag Officer in Command has submitted right now,” Naval Staff for Plans assistant chief Captain Emilio Orio Jr. said in a Senate hearing for the said bill.

According to him, the Navy increased the number in light of recent developments including the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept of the Department of National Defense.

The Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, headed by Senator Francis Tolentino, discussed the matter further with concerned officials but in a closed session.

FOBs are smaller than a main naval base and naval operating base, as defined in the proposed measure.

These will serve as an outpost in strategic locations near the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise. 

These are naval and military facilities that can immediately carry out the Navy’s mandate in the far-flung areas and as a potential site for future upgrade and expansion.

Under the bill, these 12 sites are determined as priority locations for FOBs:

• Busuanga, Palawan
• Subic Bay, Zambales
• Mavulis Island, Batanes
• Lubang Island, Mindoro; 
• Surigao, Surigao del Norte
• Allen, Northern Samar
• Polilio Island, Quezon
• Bicobian, Divilacan, Isabela
• Casiguran, Aurora
• Sarangani Davao Occidental
• Balabac, Palawan
• Mapun, Tawi-Tawi

—VAL, GMA Integrated News