CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – The Armed Forces-Northern Luzon Command has conducted a total of 60 air and 30 surface patrols to ensure the nation's territorial security in the first quarter of this year.
Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, Nolcom chief, said the Nolcom’s Littoral Monitoring Detachment in Bani, Zambales; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, and Batan and Mavulis in Batanes monitored 22,474 foreign and domestic vessels in their areas of jurisdiction.
Buca assured that these patrols will go on without letup.
“Nolcom will continue to launch maritime patrols in collaboration with key government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos, specially our fishermen and protect our marine resources for the benefit of current and future generations," said Buca.
Nolcom conducts routine security patrol in three maritime areas – Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine or Benham Rise, and the Batanes Strait.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and Buca visited the three Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela on Tuesday, August 15.
They inspected a warehouse, command and control fusion center, and the 5th Division Training School of the 5th Infantry (Startroopers) Division.
The visit provided them with an invaluable first-hand experience of the progress achieved through collaborative efforts.
EDCA is key to our national interests, as it modernizes our alliance with the US, enhancing our disaster preparedness and response capabilities, Buca said.