Camp General Basilio Navarro

Camp General Basilio Navarro serves as the main operating base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the Southwest Philippines, the Headquarters of its Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM).

Camp General Basilio Navarro
Zamboanga City
TypeMilitary Base
Site information
Controlled byArmed Forces of the Philippines
Site history
MaterialsConcrete, steel
Garrison information
GarrisonAFP Western Mindanao Command
1st Infantry (TABAK) Division
2nd Scout Ranger Battalion
1st Light Reaction Battalion
Naval Forces Western Mindanao

History

Camp Navarro has hosted the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) of the AFP for decades. In 2005, news came that SOUTHCOM was to be moved to Pagadian City, which was met with wide protest by Zamboanga residents.[1] This eventually led to a review of the AFP's organization.

By August 2006, then AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon announced that the Southern Command of the AFP will be divided into the Western Mindanao Command and the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM). WESTMINCOM's joint service headquarters was to be located in Camp Navarro, while EASTMINCOM in Camp Panacan in Davao City.[2]

Camp Navarro also plays an important role in the ongoing war on terrorism in the Philippines, and has hosted the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines (JSOTF-P).[3] The camp was also the venue of a number of BALIKATAN Philippines - U.S. military joint exercises.[4]

Description

Camp Navarro is located in Calarian district of Zamboanga City. West of the base is the Zamboanga Golf and Country Club. Camp Navarro is also 2 km west of the Philippine Air Force's Edwin Andrews Air Base.

Camp Navarro is adjacent to the Philippine Navy's Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, which is the headquarters of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao.

Current facilities on base are:

  • Camp Navarro General Hospital
  • Officer's Club
  • WestMinCom Gym

See also

References
  1. "Zamboanga City shuts down to protest Southcom transfer". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  2. Southern Command Deactivated, 2 New AFP Commands Activated
  3. JSOTF-P Fact Sheet
  4. 25th RP-US 'Balikatan' exercises kick off in April

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