(Manila, 20th) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Navy have stated that they are fully capable of protecting the newly discovered significant natural gas reserves in the Malampaya Gas Field off the coast of Palawan, ensuring the security of the country's key energy facilities.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Affairs of the Philippine Navy, pointed out that surveillance and defense depend not on numbers, but on overall capability. The Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1) gas field is located only about 5 kilometers from the existing Malampaya project, and both the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces possess comprehensive monitoring and response capabilities.
He stated that the unit responsible for MAE-1's security is the Western Command (Wescom), with specific surveillance and defense tasks carried out by the Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTF Malampaya).
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Malampaya Task Force, possesses complete surveillance and rapid response capability," he said.
Trinidad added that the Western Command is also responsible for detecting and responding to any potential harassment activities, including possible actions by Chinese maritime forces in related waters, and that the armed forces are prepared to support escalation of operations if necessary.
On the other hand, Philippine Navy spokesperson Colonel Maria Martinez pointed out that the navy has deployed relevant forces under the Western Command and is capable of conducting continuous maritime patrol missions in the MAE-1 area.
She noted that MAE-1 falls within the jurisdiction of the Western Command and is approximately 5 kilometers (about 2.69 nautical miles) from the existing Malampaya gas platform. For many years, the Philippine Navy, through the Malampaya Task Force, has maintained a presence of naval, aerial, and special operations forces in the area to ensure the security of energy facilities.
Martinez said that the Philippine Navy is continuing to promote modernization efforts, including the acquisition of advanced vessels and aircraft. Among them, the newly purchased offshore patrol vessel "BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20)" arrived at Subic Naval Base on January 17 and a formal welcoming ceremony was held on January 20.
She stated that these new assets will further enhance the navy's ability to safeguard national maritime security, patrol the Exclusive Economic Zone, and protect critical infrastructure including the Malampaya gas platform.
It is reported that the Malampaya East-1 gas field is estimated to hold about 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, marking the first major achievement of Malampaya Phase 4 drilling. The program also includes Camago-2, Camago-3, and the "Hope New Well" projects, aiming to ensure the future natural gas supply for the Philippines.
The project is promoted by the SC3A consortium, which is led by Prime Energy and carried out in cooperation with UC38, Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), and Prime Oil & Gas.
He stated that the unit responsible for MAE-1's security is the Western Command (Wescom), with specific surveillance and defense tasks carried out by the Joint Task Force Malampaya (JTF Malampaya).
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Malampaya Task Force, possesses complete surveillance and rapid response capability," he said.
Trinidad added that the Western Command is also responsible for detecting and responding to any potential harassment activities, including possible actions by Chinese maritime forces in related waters, and that the armed forces are prepared to support escalation of operations if necessary.
On the other hand, Philippine Navy spokesperson Colonel Maria Martinez pointed out that the navy has deployed relevant forces under the Western Command and is capable of conducting continuous maritime patrol missions in the MAE-1 area.
She noted that MAE-1 falls within the jurisdiction of the Western Command and is approximately 5 kilometers (about 2.69 nautical miles) from the existing Malampaya gas platform. For many years, the Philippine Navy, through the Malampaya Task Force, has maintained a presence of naval, aerial, and special operations forces in the area to ensure the security of energy facilities.
Martinez said that the Philippine Navy is continuing to promote modernization efforts, including the acquisition of advanced vessels and aircraft. Among them, the newly purchased offshore patrol vessel "BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20)" arrived at Subic Naval Base on January 17 and a formal welcoming ceremony was held on January 20.
She stated that these new assets will further enhance the navy's ability to safeguard national maritime security, patrol the Exclusive Economic Zone, and protect critical infrastructure including the Malampaya gas platform.
It is reported that the Malampaya East-1 gas field is estimated to hold about 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, marking the first major achievement of Malampaya Phase 4 drilling. The program also includes Camago-2, Camago-3, and the "Hope New Well" projects, aiming to ensure the future natural gas supply for the Philippines.
The project is promoted by the SC3A consortium, which is led by Prime Energy and carried out in cooperation with UC38, Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), and Prime Oil & Gas.