The Philippine Navy has signed a deal allowing the construction of the proposed naval support facility and a naval air detachment in Casiguran, Aurora, which would boost Navy presence in the northern frontier of the country.
The Navy and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO) sealed on Monday, December 8, a memorandum of agreement that formalized the construction of the 12,000-hectare facility in Casiguran town.
APECO President and CEO Israel Maducdoc and Navy flag officer in command, Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo led the signing of the agreement which will be eventually endorsed for the approval of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
" a collaboration that will allow the Navy to establish a foothold and significantly boost our long-term force projection to pursue the protection of the Philippines' national maritime interests in the country's northern frontier," Bacordo said in his remarks.
According to Bacordo, the agreement will highlight the value of "convergent interests" between the military and another government agency that will lead to a fruitful partnership.
"This agreement also showcases the Navy’s, as well as the AFP’s efforts to improve its approaches in the performance of its mandate to protect the people and the State. We are very grateful to APECO for being a partner in this endeavor," the Navy chief added.
The Navy is mandated to conduct naval and maritime operations to secure the Philippine sovereignty and integrity of national territory from foreign and domestic threats.
It said that Casiguran, which is in the eastern part of Central Luzon facing the Philippine Sea, has been identified as one of the strategic areas covering the eastern border of the country.