Latest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
KALAYAAN, Palawan — "Military defense."This is the first thing that comes to mind when one hears the phrase " West Philippine Sea ." While it is true that the Philippines needs to beef up its military presence to protect its territories, especially those that are being claimed by powerful neighboring countries such as China, it is unknown to many the important role civilians play in safeguarding these areas from potential foreign attacks, or worse, invasion.
"No right-thinking nation will attack civilians," Defense Secretery Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during his visit to Pag-asa Island on May 16.Teodoro — along with Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva and JV Ejercito — visited Pag-asa Island for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new barracks inside the Emilio Liwanag Naval Station and a Super Rural Health Unit. Both facilities were funded under the 2024 national budget through Congress' initiative. Defense Sec. Gibo Teodoro, Senate President Migz Zubiri, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva & Sen. JV Ejercito are currently being briefed by the AFP Western Command here in Pag-Asa Island @gmanews pic.twitter.com/KkzSofh0Pc— Hana Bordey May 16, 2024"Kailangan po natin ng civilians dito because this is for them. This is not purely for military purposes," Teodoro said."Kailangan po natin i-habitate ito para maging sustainable ," Teodoro said, referring to the island which is being claimed by China despite its proximity to Palawan.Pag-asa Island, tagged as Palawan's "last frontier," is located some 446 kilometers from Puerto Princesa City, the province's mainland. Branded as "paradise" by the local government of Kalayaan, Palawan, the island is home to around 350 civilians who survive daily through government subsidy. BlessingsMaria Gloria Dacumos, 38 years old, is one of the oldest residents of Pag-asa island. She's been living there for 13 years, having come from Taytay, Palawan. In an interview with GMA News Online, she said she chose to live on the island because they could get most of their necessities there for free in the form of government subsidy and donations."Medyo nakakaluwag po kasi dito. Medyo maganda dito 'yung pamumuhay namin kasi pag sa baba po, medyo may kagipitan po sa financial. Dito po, libre ang paaralan. Libre po ang pagpapa-aral. Ang mga gamit, may mga donation po na darating sa amin. Kaya malaking blessing po talaga sa amin," Dacumos said. It is on the island that Dacumos is raising her family with her husband. Together, they are blessed with six children.Although the government has not been remiss in its duty to help the residents with their everyday needs, the island is still underdeveloped and lacking the basic facilities, such as birthing centers. Dacumos said she had to travel to the mainland months before her due date so she could safely give birth to her children. From Pag-asa Island, it would take two and a half hours to go to Puerto Princesa via a twin-engine islander aircraft. Meanwhile, it would take 27 to 56 hours to reach the mainland via seacraft. Commuting from the island to the mainland may appear physically taxing for outsiders, but for Pag-asa residents, this is the least of their concerns. For them, going to the mainland means huge expenses."Mahirap. 'Yung ipon mo dito na iipunin mo ng isang taon, sa isang iglap mauubos doon. Kasi pag sa mainland po lahat bili, lahat bayad. Kaya kami po sa baba, ang ginagawa namin, kapag hindi importante na magtagal kami, umaakyat po kami agad dito para po makapag-ipon na naman uli," Dacumos said. Since government presence is "more felt" in Pag-asa, Dacumos said many have decided to leave the mainland for the island because of poverty. "Dati, walong babae lang po kami dito. madami na. Kasi marami nang nag-akyatan na iba... Talagang medyo maganda talaga dito kasi sa mainland kasi bibilhin mo pa yung mga . Dito, subsidy namin, libre," she said.Chinese vesselsHaving been a resident of Pag-asa Island for 13 years, Dacumos has noticed how the presence of Chinese vessels has increased over the years. When she decided to live in Pag-asa in 2011, she said it was relatively quiet. But Chinese vessels started to swarm the island's vicinity when more "visitors" arrived to give residents aid. "Parang na-alert sila ," she said. During Teodoro and the senators' visit on May 16, around 22 Chinese militia vessels and one China Coast Guard vessel were spotted some three to four nautical miles off Pag-asa Island. A China Coast Guard vessel and several Chinese fishing vessels are seen right now near Pag-Asa Island. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/75g444mP9m— Hana Bordey May 16, 2024Dacumos said in 2023, her husband personally experienced being "hosed" by a Chinese vessel while fishing."May time na binobomba sila ng tubig, pinapalayo sila kapag nakakalapit na sila sa boundary. Naranasan din 'yun ng mister ko. Naranasan po niya 'yun na... parang itaboy lang... Hose lang. Pinapalayo lang sila," she shared. "Natakot daw sila... Umalis na lang sila... Hindi naman daw sila hinabol."Despite the risky situation on the island, Dacumos said they will still choose to live here. "Nangangamba din kami kahit papaano, pero 'pag sinasabi na bumaba kami, babalik na naman kami sa number one. May pangamba kami, may agam-agam dito pero mas gusto namin dito. Talagang malaking kaluwagan sa mga katulad namin at nandito po ang trabaho namin," Maria Gloria said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News
Please follow us on Google to support us Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rep. Cojuangco suggests nuclear waste facility on Pag-asa IslandIn case the country utilizes nuclear energy, Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco is recommending that a nuclear waste facility be put up on Pag-asa Island in Palawan.
Read more »
Labis na pag-iisip sa pera, maaaring maging sanhi ng mga sakit, base sa pag-aaralLumabas sa isang pag-aaral na nagdudulot ng matinding stress na maaaring mauwi sa iba't ibang sakit ang labis na pag-iisip o problema sa pera.
Read more »
FEU may pag-asa sa Top 2Lumalakas ang tsansa ng Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws na makasampa sa top two ng team standings matapos suwagin ang 25-20, 27-29, 25-21, 25-21 panalo laban sa University of the Philippines Lady Maroons sa second round ng UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament na nilaro sa Philsports Arena sa Pasig kahapon.
Read more »
Zubiri leads group to Pag-asa IslandPAG-ASA island, Palawan -- The construction of military barracks in Pag-asa Island in Palawan will boost the presence of the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and prevent the illegal incursions of China into Philippine territory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Thirsday.
Read more »
In Pag-asa Island, residents make a stand to defend Philippine sovereignty'Paninindigan po siya na dapat, 'pag sa atin, dapat ipaglaban,' says one resident of Pag-asa Island, one of the land features controlled by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea
Read more »
PH, India navies to hold exercise in West PH SeaThe joint maritime exercise between the Philippine and Indian navies is set to be conducted in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy said.
Read more »