CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – The Philippine Air Force has urged the government to install enhanced surveillance facilities and infrastructure in Batanes to ensure the security of maritime territories in the northernmost region of the country.
LT. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, Northern Luzon Command chief; Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and other senior military officers visit the Naval Detachment Mavulis in Batanes on May 22.
PAF chief Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño and senior Air Force officers aired the appeal during a visit to the Naval Detachment Mavulis in Batanes on May 22 to assess and address the security needs of the country’s northernmost region.
Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, commander of the Armed Forces-Northern Luzon Command, accompanied them during the visit.
They said that there is a need for the installation of air and surface radars on the island to enhance surveillance, ensure the security of the country's maritime territories, and identify gaps in maritime domain awareness.
These upgrades are essential to ensure that defense outposts are fully equipped to protect the Batanes Island Group and other critical maritime zones, they added.
The military officers paid a courtesy call on Batanes Gov. Marilou H. Cayco in the provincial capital Basco to reinforce their commitment to collaborate with local government units to strengthen regional security and development.
In recognition of his support for the defense and security of the northern maritime areas, Buca awarded the Northern Maritime Medal to Parreño.
According to Nolcom, they and the PAF will relentlessly pursue every measure to fortify northern defenses to ensure the safety and sovereignty of territorial waters.