Old war tunnel in Bonifacio Global City to become historical site

MANILA, Philippines – An old war tunnel in Bonifacio Global City, formerly part of Philippine Army headquarters Fort Bonifacio, will be turned into a historical site in recognition of the history of the former military base, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority said Thursday.

In a statement, BCDA president and corporate executive officer Arnel Paciao Casanova said that the project aims to enhance the Filipino’s understanding and appreciation of the history of the former military camp.

“Along BGC’s world-class development, BCDA plans to rehabilitate, develop and convert the old tunnel into a historical site in BCG that will showcase the city’s rich and unique heritage as a former military base,” Casanova said in a statement.

Since parts of the former camp was transformed to BGC—now a bustling business, commercial and residential district—the BCDA, a government owned and controlled corporation, has been tasked to oversee the preservation and find use for old military structures like the Fort Bonifacio War Tunnel.

The War Tunnel, built by American soldiers upon their arrival in the country during the early 20^th century, originally measured 2.24 kilometers and had 32 built-in chambers and two passable exits—one leading to what is currently Barangay Pembo and the other to Barangay East Rembo—according to military historian, Retired Brigadier General Restituto Aguilar.

Of the original structure, only a 730-meter segment of the tunnel remains unaffected and can be found under the C-5 Road in the eastern portion of the BGC, with its opening near Market! Market!

Aguilar said that American military strategy included the construction of tunnels which they use as re-supply point.

“Basta Amerikano may pupunta silang unit, pupuntahan silang lugar at i-develop na kampo automatic sa kanila na may tunnel sa ilalim. Anywhere around the world standard yan sa Amerikano,” Aguilar said.

The tunnel used to be open to the public and hundreds of people use to come to the area to visit.

“Para ka ring pumunta sa Malinta Tunnel. Same ang design,” Aguilar said when asked why it was a popular location before. Aguilar added that the same US corps of engineers that constructed the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor Island built the Fort Bonifacio tunnel sometime around early 1910s.

He also clarified claims of some historians that it was General Douglas MacArthur who had instructed the construction of the War Tunnel since it was built decades before the Second World War. Many of the laborers who constructed the tunnel were employees of mining companies in Baguio and Benguet while there were also Japanese laborers who were later discovered to be soldiers spying for the Japanese military, Aguilar said. He added that the tunnel served as the supply and logistics route of the American soldiers.

Aguilar said that the old Philippine Army museum used to stand near the War Tunnel however, the tunnel was closed down when the BCDA took over the former military camp sometime in the mid-90s in preparation for the land’s conversion to an economic zone. Meanwhile, the Army museum was moved inside what is left of the Army camp.

When asked if he is in favor of opening the tunnel again to the public, Aguilar said that it is possible but noted that security must be tight since the structure is over a hundred years old and may pose as a risk.

He added that the tunnel is located somewhere between 150 to 200 meters below the ground and was not cemented or made of concrete.

“Hindi sya konkreto kasi ang ilalim ng Fort Bonifacio ay adobe,” Aguilar said.

For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa commended the BCDA for undertaking this project.

“The soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are honored and grateful for this undertaking by the BCDA.  Dedicating a heritage site can be considered a valuable recognition a soldier can receive,” Dellosa said in a statement.

“We hope for the success of this endeavor so that it may benefit both our country’s economic growth and the people’s sense of historical appreciation,” the military chief added.

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Katherine Evangelista | INQUIRER.net | March 15,2012 | Article Link

BCDA remittances to military reach over P15 billion

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has remitted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more than P15 billion from the proceeds of the sale of former military camps as of last year.

The military uses its share of proceeds from the disposition of its former bases to buy new defense equipment or improve its facilities. 

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said for 2011 alone, the BCDA turned over P2.64 billion, P2.37 billion of which went to the military.

He said the BCDA had remitted a total of P12.7 billion from 2000 to 2010. 

Burgos said the funds they received would be used to support their modernization efforts.

“These (funds) will further equip the AFP with the necessary requirements of its capability upgrade and modernization projects which does not only benefit the men and women in uniform but ultimately the whole Filipino nation as well,” he said. 

Burgos said a total of 43 military capability upgrade projects worth P4.7 billion have been completed using the BCDA remittances.

Of the 43 completed projects, 19 were already delivered to the AFP and are now being used by troops.

Among the projects delivered are the 1,621 Night Fighting System for the Army; 18 basic trainer aircraft and aerial camera for the Air Force; two multi-purpose attack craft, four landing craft utility and 76-mm ammunition for the Navy; an integrated radio tracking system and base communication network for the AFP General Headquarters; 402 squad automatic weapons, and 8,100 force protection equipment.

The AFP Medical Center also benefited from the BCDA remittances, which were used to improve four operating rooms. 

The military is also entitled to shares from non-sale transactions like lease agreements from various companies.

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Alexis Romero | The Philippine Star | March 05, 2012 | Article Link

P4.7-B BCDA revenue used for 43 modernization projects: AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The military used P4.7 billion from revenue collected from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to complete 43 modernization and capability upgrade projects, the AFP’s Public Affairs head and spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. announced on Sunday.

“Out of the 43 completed projects, 19 were already delivered to the AFP and are now being used in the performance of our troops’ duties,” he said.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Casanova said of the turnover, “We at the BCDA believe that it is only fitting to compensate our soldiers’ hardship and sacrifices by contributing to the advancement of their capabilities and equipment so that they will be able to fulfill their mandate more efficiently and effectively. We sincerely appreciate the honorable service of our hardworking soldiers especially those who are in the frontlines bravely risking their own lives to make sure that our citizens are able to live a safe and peaceful life,” Casanova said.

In turn, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said, “The military will compensate the recent juncture with our sustained efforts in delivering better public service and further boosting our external capabilities to uphold our sovereignty and integrity of our national territory.” 

Among the materiel delivered for the Army under the BCDA-funded modernization were 1,621 Night Fighting System and 6 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) M113; for the Air Force, 18 Basic Trainer Aircraft and one Aerial Camera; for the Navy, two Multi-purpose Attack Craft, four Landing Craft Utility and 76mm Ammunition; for the General Headquarters, one Integrated Radio Tracking System, Base Communication Network Project, Mobile Communication Network and Special Operations Communication Equipment, improvement of four AFP Medical Center Operating Rooms and Busbus Station Hospital; and for the Public Affairs: 62 units of Audio-Visual System.

Also delivered were 402 Squad Automatic Weapons for the three Major Services and 8,100 Force Protection Equipment for the Army and Navy.

For the last remittance tranche for 2011, the BCDA turned over recently P2.64 billion to the national government as proceeds from the disposition of former military bases. 

As one of the long-term major beneficiaries, the AFP got the largest share of P2.37 billion. This will add to the total previous remittances by BCDA amounting to P12.7 billion, which Burgos said had “paved the way for the obligation of the military’s modernization projects.” 

Aside from the shares received in the disposition of mentioned lots, the military also received share from non-sale transactions in forms of leases from several corporations.

Transactions of BCDA in which the military had a share include the sales of Fort Bonifacio, DOE/JUSMAG property in Quezon City, expanded Big Delta lot, and Camp Bagong Bantay.

“The disposition of former military camps such as the current Bonifacio Global City and Newport City brought about the turnover of the said amount to the national government. Said camps used to be the biggest military bases formerly known as Fort Bonifacio and Villamor Air Base,” Burgos noted.

Aside from BCDA proceeds, the Malampaya gas project in Palawan was also bankrolling the AFP modernization with the recent acquisition of naval vessels.

More vessels and aircraft are already in the pipeline to boost the country’s security patrol operations for its territorial waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, site of the disputed oil-rich Spratly Islands.

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04-Mar-12, 8:54 PM | Jaime Sinapit, InterAksyon.com | Article Link