DND focuses on facilities in Kalayaan Islands

Department of National Defense (DND) officer in charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. said “mission essential” infrastructure in the Kalayaan Island Group will be prioritized under his watch. In a visit to the Western Command in Palawan on Thursday, Faustino said he would pursue building projects in the Kalayaans with the public works department. There are already minor upgrades underway in nine of the military’s stations in the Kalayaans. He reiterated President Marcos’ directive to protect the country’s territorial integrity pursuant to the 2016 arbitral ruling handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. —FRANCES MANGOSING