PH Navy set to boost order of battle in West PH Sea

The Philippine Navy said Tuesday it would strengthen its units, equipment, and capabilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid continuing tensions in the area with China.

"Ibig sabihin nito ay 'yung ating naval component ng Western Command (Wescom) and Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) ay pinapatibay natin," Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told Dobol B TV in an interview.

(This means that we are strengthening our naval components of the Western Command and Northern Luzon Command.)

"Sapagkat ito ang humaharap sa West Philippine Sea, sa Scarborough Shoal o Bajo de Masinloc, at sa mga northern islands natin," he added.

(Because these commands face the West Philippine Sea, the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, and our northern islands.)

Trinidad said the revamp includes improving the command and control, raising the table of organization rank from Commodore to Rear Admiral, and adding more forces.

"Pinapalakas natin 'yung kanyang command and control. Tinaasan natin 'yung kanyang table of organization rank from an O-7 or one star to an O-8 or two star, from Commodore position to Rear Admiral," he said.

(We are strengthening their command and control. We are raising the table of organization rank from an O-7 or one star to an O-8 or two star, from Commodore position to Rear Admiral.)

"And then magkakaroon ng additional forces, 'yung ating chief units at 'yung ating Philippine Marine Corps and the other naval units na assigned sa kanila," he added.

(And then there will be additional forces in our chief units, the Philippine Marine Corps, and the other naval units assigned to them.)

Trinidad noted that the revamp focuses on the capabilities and not in the numbers of personnel. The concerned units will be transformed into the equivalent of a division in terms of capabilities.

"Let's say 'yung mga barko natin, 'yung mga bagong barko na parating. Kumbaga sa lumang panahon, ang apat na barko na luma ay mas malakas ang kakayahan ng isang bagong barko, isang modernong barko," he said.

(Let's say our ships, the new ships that are coming. One new modern ship is more powerful than four old ships.)

Asked about the suggestion of Senator Francis Tolentino to establish a WPS command, Trinidad said that the matter is being discussed.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News