Tolentino pushes measure creating naval forward bases

SEN. Francis Tolentino is pressing for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 654 that establishes naval “forward operating bases” (FOBs) amid continuing tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Tolentino stressed the need to pass SB 654 following the recent sighting of Chinese research vessels near the Philippine (Benham) Rise.

The chairman of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones tackled the bill on Monday.

He filed SB 654 on July 14, 2022, or the proposed “Philippine Navy (PN) Archipelagic Defense Act,” to complement the Philippine Navy Strategic Basing Plan 2040.

He said the bill identified strategic sites around the country that are either under development or proposed to be developed.

The strategic Philippine Navy Directorate for Real Estate Management has identified 15 sites as FOBs.

Tolentino acknowledged that acquiring or developing the properties “is difficult due to a lack of resources.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd said he was willing to discuss the bill so long as it is “in the best interest of the Philippines and not influenced by any other state or power.”

“Let this be the product of our independent thinking, planning and analysis. If that’s the result, then let’s discuss it extensively,”

Pimentel said.

Tolentino said an FOB, which is smaller than a main naval base and operating base, will not require the same budgetary allocation as a regular naval base. But it will serve as an outpost in strategic locations near the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise.

“These FOBs are to be established as naval and military facilities that can immediately carry out the Philippine Navy’s mandate in the country’s far-flung areas and as potential sites for future upgrades and expansion,” he said.

Tolentino said about P1 billion is needed for the project once SB 654 is enacted into law.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO