Philippines builds military base on island near Taiwan?
The Philippines will build a marine base on its northernmost island, near Taiwan, to bolster defenses and deter poaching.
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Philippine Marines during a drill. Photo: Militaty |
"We need to be there. It is an uninhabited island, so we will set up a base there to protect the territorial waters and prevent poaching during the fishing season," he said.Reuterstoday quoted a statement by Lieutenant General Isagani Nato, spokesman for the Philippine Northern Luzon Command.
Construction work on Mavulis Island, about 80 km from Taiwan, Mr Nato said,start next month. Once completed, a unit of Philippine marines will be deployedto increase military presence and improve intelligence gathering.
The Philippine general did not reveal the exact size of the military unit, but said the island structure could provide shelter for fishermen. In addition, this base also helps Manila monitor ships and boats passing through the area.Balintang Canal, located on the international trade route in the north of the country.
In 1998, Taiwan proposed leasing the island.Mavulis to be used as a shooting training ground for the armyHowever, the two sides almost severed relations in 2013, after a Philippine ship fired on a Taiwanese fishing boat, killing one fisherman.
