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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ezpeleta inspects naval outpost in Mavulis Island

Ezpeleta inspects naval outpost in Mavulis Island

Published Jan 14, 2025 09:01 am
Philippine Navy Mavulis Island.jpg
Ranking military officials visit the Naval Detachment Mavulis in Mavulis Island, Batanes on Jan. 12, 2025  to assess which improvements are needed in the key outpost located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. (Photo: Philippine Navy)

Philippine Navy (PN) chief, Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta visited the navy’s detachment unit in Mavulis Island, Batanes recently to assess which improvements are needed in the key outpost.

In a statement Tuesday, Jan. 14, the PN said that Ezpeleta checked the facilities at Naval Detachment Mavulis, the northernmost and most remote military outpost in the country, last Jan. 12.

“This visit provided an opportunity to assess the operational readiness and strategic significance of Mavulis Island, identify infrastructure and resource needs, and develop solutions to enhance the defense posture of the northernmost region,” the PN statement read.

“It also underscores the military’s unified effort to strengthen multi-domain operations and safeguard the country’s sovereignty in Northern Luzon,” it added.

The Department of National Defense (DND) previously directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to fortify the military and defense outposts in Mavulis Island, which angered China. 

Batanes is facing Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, in the northern most part of the Philippines. The two countries are separated by the Bashi Channel, an international sea lane.

In March last year, the Navy said that a seaport will be built in Batanes through funding from the United States Army.

According to the Navy, the construction of the seaport is part of the preparations of the PN and the AFP for any eventuality across the spectrum of conflict – “from peace, to crisis, to wartime.”

Aside from Ezpeleta, other ranking military officials joined the inspection including Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, commander of Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom); Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, commanding general of the Philippine Army; Maj. Gen. Arturo G. Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps; Commo. Edward Ike M. De Sagon, commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon and Joint Task Force Karagatan; and Brig. Gen. Bob R. Apostol, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force Dalampasigan.

As part of the visit, Ezpeleta, Galido and Rojas ceremonially installed plaques on the “Wall of Marker” at Naval Detcachment Mavulis, symbolizing their “commitment to securing peace and stability” in the northern frontier.

Related Tags

Batanes Philippine Navy Mavulis Island FOIC Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta
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