Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the completion of the ramp should not be construed as a move by the Philippine government to “militarize” Pag-asa.
On the sidelines of Tuesday’s turnover rites, Lorenzana said the project was “very significant” as building materials and heavy equipment could now be brought into Pag-asa with ease, especially for maintenance of the island’s airstrip and the construction of other facilities for its civilian inhabitants numbering around 200.
Without the beaching ramp, large vessels could not go near the island and could bring in supplies only by small boats.“The purpose of this is to just develop this area into a viable community,’’ he said. “We will not field heavy weapons. We will not militarize this [island],” the defense chief stressed. “We have troops here but they are armed with small arms, for their [personal] protection as soldiers.’’
But he pointed out that the Kalayaan island chain played a “strategic role in reconnaissance missions and exploration activities.”Construction of the ramp began in November 2017 as the first phase of the Philippine military’s “basing support system project.”Phases 2 to 4, which are estimated to cost P1.
Lorenzana said beaching ramps could also be constructed in other parts of the Kalayaan group, including Rizal Reef and Lawak and Patag islands.
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