By admin 
WATCH: Navy personnel conducted an inspection of the hangar on Pagasa Island on Oct. 24, 2024, in view of Tropical Storm Kristine. PHOTO OF KALAYAN LGU
MANILA, Philippines – A new hangar in Pagasa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea is expected to be completed before the end of the year, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Vice Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., commander of the AFP’s Western Command, said the facility, which began construction two years ago, is now 90 percent complete.
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“We are looking at completing that facility this year,” Torres told reporters after the military exercises on Kota Island.
Island recapture exercises were held on Wednesday by AFP on Kota Island – about 32 kilometers from Pagasa Island – in a bid to strengthen the country’s defense capacity against external threats.
READ: AFP conducts simulated island defense exercises in the West Philippine Sea
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Torres said the control tower on Pagasa Island will also become the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group, which will oversee the entire Kalayaan Island Group.
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“It will be the office of TOG of Pagasa Island, and that will facilitate all air operations in the Kalayaan Island Group,” Torres said.
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“These are much-needed facilities for our platforms,” he added.
Pag-asa Island is the largest maritime feature of the Kalayaan Island Group and serves as the seat of the local government of Kalayaan Municipality in Palawan.
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More than 400 local citizens – including approximately 70 children – call the island home, along with stationed military, law enforcement and civilian government personnel.
However, China claims ownership over Pagasa Island as part of its sovereignty claim in the entire South China Sea, a claim that was effectively rejected by an international tribunal ruling in 2016.
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