DND Coordinates for New Coast Guard Station Balabac Island
The Department of National Defense (DND) will work closely with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for the establishment of a new coast guard station on Balabac Island in Palawan. DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained that the initially proposed location for a Philippine Navy (PN) base was unsuitable due to shallow waters, which cannot accommodate the newly acquired frigates.
“This area is more suitable for the Coast Guard, not Navy. So we will coordinate with them through our inter-agency committee led by ES [Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin] to scope a bigger area for a naval operating base. This area is just 20 hectares so it is too small. The bay is also too narrow,” Teodoro said during an ocular inspection over the weekend.
Balabac Island, the southernmost part of Palawan, borders the West Philippine Sea (WPS). It lies only 140 nautical miles from Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, an area reclaimed and militarized by China despite being within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Strategic Defense and Military Expansion
The DND initially planned to build a naval base and an airstrip on Balabac Island, one of nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites with the United States. The proposed naval station aims to deter surveillance activities by foreign forces in the region.
The DND is expanding military installations as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) strategic basing, guided by the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). Secretary Teodoro emphasized that the Philippine Navy will need to find a different location for its base, as the current site cannot accommodate their new frigates despite any pier expansion.
“Based on our strategic basing anchored on CADC, they [Philippine Navy] will have to look for another place. If not, it will not serve the purpose. Their new frigates won’t fit here no matter how big the pier will be,” he stated.
Next Steps for Naval and Air Force Development
For now, the Philippine Navy will temporarily occupy the current site while the inter-agency committee explores alternative locations for the naval base. Meanwhile, Teodoro also urged the Philippine Air Force (PAF), led by Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, to accelerate the construction of the airstrip on the island.
“We want to expedite the construction of the airstrip because the work is very slow,” he noted.
The move to develop Balabac Island’s military infrastructure highlights the government’s commitment to strengthening national defense amid ongoing regional tensions.
For more news and updates on Balabac Island, visit Filipinokami.com.