EDITORIAL
The current geopolitical tensions in the Asian region in which the Philippines might find itself embroiled in conflict among superpowers have prodded our officials to think--and think hard--about national security.
Many believe that the stance of former President Rodrigo Duterte of full acquiescence to China is unacceptable. Duterte took this defeatist position because of the fact that our military capability is miniscule as compared to that of China. This is true, we do not stand a chance in case of a shooting war in the South China Sea. But this should not prevent us from mending our security fences.
Several agencies of the government are doing just that.
Here are some of the examples. The Bureau of Customs is installing state-of-the-art scanning machines at key international airports to further enhance airport security.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said these include the Rapiscan 920CT (Computed Tomography) and the Tek84 Intercept body scanner.
The Tek84 Intercept body scanners and Rapiscan 920CT scanners have been installed at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 and at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), while the installation of Rapiscan 920CT scanners is currently underway at Clark International Airport (CIA) Terminal 2 and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3.
On May 17, Rubio personally conducted an inspection of the newly installed Rapiscan 920CT at the MCIA.
The Rapiscan 920CT X-ray machine employs cutting-edge technology to identify explosives and other hazardous materials. It can scan baggage containing large electronics and liquids without requiring their removal, thereby expediting the screening process and increasing safety.
Rubio said the integration of the Rapiscan Systems' Tray Return System further enhances airport security and operational efficiency by accelerating passenger checks and minimizing delays.
The Tek84 Intercept body scanner offers comprehensive detection capabilities, identifying metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons, drugs, and hidden contraband.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Friday announced it has commissioned into service another Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" transport aircraft. The aircraft with tail number 5157 was commissioned during rites at the Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.
Castillo said the aircraft is one of the two C-130H transport acquired from the United States under the Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program in 2016.
"With the delivery of this transport aircraft, the PAF now has five C-130 aircraft in its inventory that can be used for humanitarian, tactical, and strategic missions," Castillo said.
She added these heavy airlifters are significant in delivering relief goods and essential supplies, transporting troops and equipment, and lending support to communities in different areas around the country and even overseas.
Then, there's the plan of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to install enhanced surveillance facilities and infrastructure in Batanes to ensure the security of maritime territories in the northernmost region of the country.
PAF chief Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Parreño and senior Air Force officers mentioned this during their visit and inspection of the Naval Detachment Mavulis in Batanes on May 22 to assess and address the security needs of the country’s northernmost region. Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, commander of the Armed Forces-Northern Luzon Command, accompanied them in the inspection.
The military officials recognized our need for air and surface radars on Batanes island to enhance surveillance, ensure the security of the country's maritime territories, and identify gaps in maritime domain awareness. These upgrades are essential to ensure that defense outposts are fully equipped to protect the Batanes Island Group and other critical maritime zones, they added.
Batanes of course is important to us, and more so to our ally, the United States, because of its proximity to Taiwan.
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