SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Reaffirming its commitment to protect, defend, and preserve the country’s territorial integrity, the Philippine Navy led the send-off ceremony of the BRP Jose Rizal, which coincided with the 7th anniversary of the Philippine Rise at Poro Point on July 9.
During the send-off, Naval Forces Northern Luzon Commander, Commodore Edward Ike De Sagon, maintained that the Philippine Navy would continue to uphold the country’s sovereignty over its maritime domain as provided for under the Limits of the Continental Shelf by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Citing the need to protect the Benham Rise (officially referred to as the Philippine Rise) and its marine resources, De Sagon cited the need to raise awareness about the strategic value of the country’s maritime region.
“Our marine conservation efforts are important in safeguarding the diverse marine life and ecosystems of the Philippine Rise for present and future generations,” De Sagon explained.
Meanwhile, Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ferlyn Buca finds it imperative to honor the Filipino people as a whole, with a focus on the country’s rich naval history.
“This commemoration not only raises awareness of the strategic value of the Philippine Rise but also honors its significance to the Filipino people, reaffirming the country’s rich maritime history,” Buca averred.
The 7th anniversary commemorates the issuance of Executive Order 25 during the previous administration, which renamed the Benham Rise to the Philippine Rise.
Interestingly, BRP Jose Rizal would serve as a symbol of the country’s unity, sovereignty, and pride on the northeastern front.
The event also saw a C130 perform a flyby over the Philippine Rise in an apparent display of the country’s aerial capability. (PIA La Union)
