The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has officially opened its first radar station in the Bicol region, located in Barangay Hiyop, Pandan, Catanduanes.

The facility can detect various types of sea vessels within a range of almost 90 nautical miles reportedly.

"Ang radar station natin can detect 70-96 nautical miles na mga vessels na dumadaan dito po sa atin sa eastern seaboards, hindi lang po siya radar station, kasama din po yung online platform natin," CG Commo Philipps Soria, Commander of the Coast Guard District Bicol, said.

It is also equipped with cameras capable of reaching up to 5 nautical miles.

It can also locate small boats, which is particularly helpful in cases of missing or distressed vessels.

Positioned in the outermost eastern portion of the nation facing the Pacific Ocean, the radar station has already proven its worth.

Earlier in April 2024, it detected a Chinese research vessel within the waters of Catanduanes, providing vital information to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Yung nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea, ayaw nating mangyari sa Catanduanes; and then yung foreign vessel [na] nade-detect ng Manila, [ay] nadetalye ito [sa [sa pamamagitan ng] radar. Ito yung nagbigay ng details kung ano yun kaya [na] malaking bagay [sa tubig]," Governor Joseph Cua of Catanduanes said.