Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have visited the remote Likas Island, the second largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), on Thursday.This is part of the military’s three-day “symbolic” maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea, aimed at asserting the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights over the waters.“Pinapakita natin na ang bawat feature natin sa West Philippine Sea, ang siyam na features na ito, ay tinatauhan natin ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas to assert our sovereignty and with this, we are showing the Filipino people the warmth… kung ano ang sitwasyon sa [mga] isla. Napakaganda ng ating bayang Pilipinas,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters who joined the maritime patrol on board the BRP Andres Bonifacio.From the naval vessel, military and media personnel traveled about 15 minutes by rubber boat to reach Likas Island or West York Island.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/4/brp-miguel-malvar-successfully-completes-first-official-mission-in-west-ph-sea-2212">BRP Miguel Malvar successfully completes first official mission in West Philippine Sea</a></div>The island, covering 18 hectares, has white sand and is surrounded by trees and plants.At the front of the island, the Philippine flag waves proudly.“Ang ating bandila laging nakawagayway iyan, saying that this island is ours and ang ating mga sudnalo palaging nandiyan para bantayan ang ating island na ito,” said Naval Task Force 42 Commander Colonel Joel Bonavente.Troops on Likas Island have their own generator and solar panels for power supply.Their drinking water comes from mainland Palawan, while water for bathing and washing comes from a spring-fed pump at the detachment.One of the soldiers stationed here is Technical Sergeant Nino Calbog from Iloilo province. The 43-year-old Marine admits that he sometimes feels lonely being deployed in the West Philippine Sea, especially since he had also been previously assigned to Kota Island. But Calbog said satellite internet greatly helps in staying connected with his family.“Simula’t sapul pa man, sinasabi kong para sa kanila itong tinatrabaho ko,” Calbog said.“Pinagsumpaan kong tungkulin ang pagkasundalo. Dito na kami. Dedepensahan namin ito habang dito kami,” he added. “Inaalala rin namin na ang station namin mabantayan at pangalagaan para sa ating sambayanan.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/4/fighter-jet-maker-expects-us-gov-t-to-make-f-16-sale-offer-to-ph-soon-0736">Fighter jet maker expects US gov&#x27;t to make F-16 sale offer to PH soon</a></div>There are also television sets and a basketball court to help them fight boredom.Soldiers here raise animals like goats and chickens. They also take care of cats and dogs, who keep them company.Behind the detachment is a garden, which helps supplement the troops’ food supply.“Sa day-to-day life ng ating mga kasundaluhan, may activities sila like they engage in sports activities like may basketball court sa likod, sa loob ng detachment, at the same time meron din silang sort of gardening area sa loob ng ating patrol base at may mga alagang hayop. Yun din ang nakakasustain sa kanila dito sa everyday life nila sa Likas Island,” Bonavente noted.During the AFP’s visit to Likas Island, two Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted but did not go near.“Ang mga sundalo natin are always prepared for any eventualities. We only foster a good and peaceful environment dito sa ating lugar,” Bonavente assured. “We always do a challenge sa mga dumadaan. That is a protocol naman that we always have to conduct a challenge,” he continued.<div>ROTATION AND RESUPPLY </div>Features like Parola Island and Likas Island are also regularly visited by military vessels during rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions.A RoRe mission team is organized for these operations.“Sila po ang nago-oversee ng overall requirements ng operations, personnel, provisions, ano ang requirements ng mga isla na pupuntahan. Basically, ang RoRe mission team, iniensure nila na safe ang mga kailangan ng ship to shore movements… iensure na ang personnel na incoming and outgoing ay properly maturnover ang duties and responsibilities. Irereplenish din po ang medical supplies sa isla and ang overall requirements ng isla ay chinicheck para sa susunod na RoRe ay maiprovide,” Western Naval Command Public Affairs Officer Captain Ellaine Rose Collado explained. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/24/chinese-incursions-in-west-ph-sea-pull-down-pinoy-fisherfolks-catches-bfar-1510">Chinese incursions in West PH Sea pull down Pinoy fisherfolk&#x27;s catches: BFAR</a></div>According to Collado, it is crucial that troops are regularly provided complete supplies, no matter the weather.“Kung hindi namin sila regular na napoprovidean ng requirements nila, possible po na maabutang wala silang makain o mainom. So, kahit marami pa silang supplies sa isla, iniensure namin na meron at merong regular na maconduct na RoRe hangga’t kaya,” the official said.“Importante na masustain [ang RoRe] kasi… minimaintain po natin ang presence natin dito sa ating mga isla to make sure na hindi ito makuha sa atin,” she added. Besides food supply and troop rotation, facilities in occupied features are also inspected during RoRe missions.

The island, covering 18 hectares, has white sand and is surrounded by trees and plants. At the front of the island, the Philippine flag waves proudly.

The island, covering 18 hectares, has white sand and is surrounded by trees and plants. At the front of the island, the Philippine flag waves proudly.

What can be seen on Likas Island in West PH Sea?

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What can be seen on Likas Island in West PH Sea?

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 05, 2025 08:28 PM PHT

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Likas Island

Kalayaan Island Group

West Philippine Sea

maritime patrol

AFP

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