The Philippine Navy has pledged to maintain rigorous surveillance over vital maritime corridors within the nation, aligning with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). During a recent press conference, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, emphasized the Navy’s commitment to not only the San Bernardino Strait but also to other critical chokepoints. These include the Surigao Strait, Basilan Strait, Sibutu Passage, Balabac Passage, Verde Island Passage, and the northern Balintang or Basi Channel. According to Trinidad, these areas are essential for national security and are part of the broader CADC strategy, which aims to safeguard the Philippines’ entire territory and its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The term ‘chokepoint’ refers to a strategic maritime passage or waterway. Trinidad further explained that these chokepoints are monitored using a combination of littoral stations, land-based sensors, as well as ship and air surveillance systems.
Philippine Navy Commits to Vigilant Monitoring of Key Maritime Routes
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