Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) fisherfolk have expressed alarm over the US donation of a communication tower for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Zambales. The program for the formal acceptance of the donation was held in the town of Botolan where the new facility will be built last week.

Bobby Roldan, Pamalakaya’s second chairman for Luzon, said the US’ donation of the observation tower is possibly “a first step for a new US naval base, similar to the former Subic Naval Base.” Roldan stressed that the Philippines should not be used by the US and maintain its independence and denounce any foreign attempt to build military bases here. The US has built similar facilities in Ilocos Norte and Palawan to monitor China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea.

The 30.5-meter tower will rise on 225 square meters of land in Mount Calib-ungan in Barangay Porac. The local government of Botolan bought and donated the parcel of land to the PCG. The Zambales provincial government will finance the construction of the PCG barracks in said land.

The location is considered strategic in providing extensive radio coverage for PCG operations. It will reportedly be used for patrolling operations in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground for small-scale Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese fisherfolk.

“Strengthening military ties with the US will make it more difficult for Filipino fisherfolk to peacefully return [and fish] in the Chinese-occupied Scarborough Shoal,” Roldan said. He also condemned the US and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, along with its allied countries, for launching other war games.

Roldan and Pamalakaya-Zambales coordinator Joey Marabe emphasized that demilitarization in the West Philippine Sea should be pushed for the welfare and benefit of Filipino fisherfolk. “This will pave the way for peaceful resolution and dialogue, not additional foreign troops that will only intensify tensions,” Marabe said.

Representatives from the US Embassy Civil Military Support unit, PCG officials and local government officials attended the tower donation program in Botolan.