PH president inspects navy station near disputed islands

Read between the lines. As regional tension over maritime disputes escalate, the Philippine Navy chose a naval station facing the volatile South China Sea as the venue for the culmination of month-long celebrations of its 116th anniversary. The President will inspect the improvements being made in the new naval station in Ulugan Bay, Palawan, Tuesday. The station was abuzz with activities a day before the President flies in, with warships, brand new naval choppers, and speedboats inside the bay. The navy’s anniversary celebrations are usually held in Manila or Cavite. Officials said the celebrations exemplifies the navy’s new “Frontline First” policy. The naval station in Ulugan Bay is closest to the disputed Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea. Also in the area is Oyster Bay, the naval station which may be offered to the US troops.

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