By Martin Sadongdong
The Philippine Navy has expressed its intention to establish a base in a portion of the facility of South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction in Subic, Zambales to accommodate its assets and facilities.
Philippine Navy (MANILA BULLETIN)
Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, newly designated Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, said the area where the shipbuilding firm is located "is blessed with deep-sea harbor," enough to accommodate its strategic vessels.
In 2019, however, Hanjin filed for bankruptcy owing to its USD 1.3 billion outstanding loans from Philippine banks and South Korean lenders. Hanjin then asked help from the Philippine government to seek for investors who will take over the operation of the shipyard.
"Our interest is to occupy part of Hanjin," Bacordo told reporters Monday night after he assumed the top navy post.
He explained that the area where the shipyard is situated has a depth of 10 meters, which can accommodate BRP Tarlac and BRP Davao del Sur – the largest sea assets of the navy, the Del-Pilar class frigates and other future acquisitions.
"Right now, none of our strategic vessels can be accommodated by our naval facilities," Bacordo said.
Aside from that, the area is also protected by mountains and Grande Island, which is a protected harbor, the navy chief pointed out.
"Also, the Hanjin employees are the remnants of old ship repair facility of the US. In terms of technology and capability, they have it," he added.
Meanwhile, from a navy perspective, Bacordo said the area was also close to the Naval Education and Training Command, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific.
"We have these navy units and maritime agencies. It's perfect for the Philippine Navy," he noted.
At present, different bidders have already expressed intention to acquire the Hanjin facility, Bacordo said, although he refused to divulge further information.
"The navy has expressed, since January 2019, its interest to occupy Hanjin but we know the financial aspects, it's beyond the Philippine Navy. The government is coming in," Bacordo said.
He bared that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Department of Finance (DOF) are involved in talks regarding the acquisition of the facility.
He said he asked these government agencies "to include the navy sa part of the equation."
"We are asking the government agencies involved, whoever buys out that Hanjin property, just put a certain area for the Philippine Navy," Bacordo said.
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