MANILA, April 15 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said strategic bases will be set up to protect the country's eastern seaboard, where the resource-rich Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise), is located.

In a recent interview, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said that these facilities would be part of the adjustments made under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

"We're projecting our defenses up to our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and then aside from that we are also now looking into our strategic basing, so pati dito na rin dito sa (even in our) eastern seaboard ay gumagawa na rin tayo ng mga hakbang para gumawa ng mga (we are taking steps to create) strategic bases on the eastern seaboard," he added....