QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning to construct a naval operating base in Casiguran, Aurora which is near Benham Rise.
Lt. Gen. Roberto Tanalgo clarified that the Benham Rise issue is not the reason the AFP is planning to construct the naval base.
He said the construction of the naval base was already planned even before the issue started.
“We continuously patrol the Benham Rise by air, by surface, and everything that we’ve got,” Tanalgo said.
Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano in an interview said that the government is planning to develop a naval station in the area to have a closer look at Benham Rise.
“We are considering to develop the area para naman meron closer look sa lugar na ito,” Yano said.