By RICHEL V. UMEL
Contributor
MARAWI City — Philippine Navy commanders are welcoming the establishment of a new naval base in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, which they say is vital for national security and fleet operations.
Capt. Helarion D. Cecista, commander of Naval Task Force 61, said the new base is a welcome development. He noted that the Port of San Felipe and Sangley Point in Cavite will be taken over by the local government for other purposes, making a new port necessary.
“The naval base is vital in sustaining and prolonging the lifeline and firepower of a naval boat,” Cecista said.
He added: “The mere presence of [a] naval boat in any part of the country is already a deterrence sa mga masamang elemento na may masamang balak.”
The new base will be established within the Phividec Development Authority International Seaport.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced that the base is urgently needed because eight new naval ships are set to arrive from South Korea.
According to Capt. Paul Michel P. Hechanova, task group commander of the BRP Miguel Malvar, his vessel is the first of the eight acquired under the previous administration.
He said a sister ship has just arrived and will be decommissioned next month, while the remaining ships will be delivered over the next few years.
Teodoro, who visited the 103rd Infantry ‘Haribon’ Brigade, also spoke about the upcoming first parliamentary Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) election on October 13.
He said additional troops would be deployed to address any threats and ensure a safe and secure election.
“Wala tayong pinapapanigan at kinakampihan sa darating na Barmm election kung ‘di ang buhay ng bawat mamamayan na ligtas sa kapahamakan,” Teodoro said.
