Navy opens new forward operating base on strategic Batanes island

The forward operating base at Mahatao town in Batanes. — Photo from the Northern Luzon Command

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s new forward operating base is now operational on strategic Batanes island near Taiwan.

The Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) inaugurated on Thursday a forward operating base at Mahatao town, which will host Navy and Marine units under the Northern Luzon Naval Command tasked with securing the Luzon Strait.

“The Mahatao Forward Operating Base strengthens our ability to defend the northern frontier,” said Nolcom chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca in a statement on Friday.

This new military installation followed what a maritime expert described as an irregular presence this month of armed Chinese coast guard ships in the Bashi Channel, which is part of the Luzon Strait.

READ: 3 armed China Coast Guard ships seen ‘bracketing’ Batanes

Lying between Taiwan and Luzon, Luzon Strait connects the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. Luzon Strait is one of the main shipping routes and many submarine communication cables pass through the body of water.

Security expert Chester Cabalza said the forward operating base will greatly help in maritime domain awareness in Luzon Strait.

“It closes the gaps on national security against frequent incursions of foreign aggressors, particularly that Batanes is a front line province just below Taiwan,” Cabalza told Inquirer on Friday.

Taiwan is a self-ruled island deemed by China as a renegade province and has not ruled out using force to put the territory under its control.

Cabalza also said the forward operating base in Mahatao “serves as a contingency base in case of war in the Taiwan Strait.”

“A forward operating base is a strategic launching point and logistical hub for quicker response in cases of forcible military invasion,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this month that the country would be drawn into an all-out war between global superpowers Beijing and Washington over Taiwan. /das