MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy’s new forward operating base is now operational on a strategic Batanes island near Taiwan. The Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) inaugurated on Thursday a forward operating base on Mahatao Island, which will host Navy and Marine units under the Northern Luzon Naval Command tasked with securing the Luzon Strait. “The Mahatao Forward Operating Base strengthens our ability to defend the northern frontier,” said Nolcom chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca in a statement on Friday. This new military installation followed what a maritime expert described as an irregular presence this month of armed Chinese coast guard […]... Keep on reading: Navy opens new forward operating base on strategic Batanes island