{{Short description|Military establishment in the Philippines}} {{use mdy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Mahatao Forward Operating Base | partof = | location = Mahatao, Batanes, Philippines | image = | caption = | map_type = | map_size = | map_caption = | type = Forward operating base | coordinates = {{coord|20|25|11.8|N|121|56|47.3|E|type:landmark_region:PH-BTN|display=title,inline}} | code = | built = {{Start date|2025|8|28}} | builder = {{flagcountry|Philippines}} | materials = | height = | used = 2025–present | fate = | condition = | ownership = | open_to_public = | controlledby = Philippine Navy<br>Philippine Marine Corps | garrison = | current_commander = | commanders = | occupants = | battles = | events = | image2 = | caption2 = }}
The '''Mahatao Forward Operating Base''' is a military base in Mahatao, Batanes, the Philippines.
==History== The Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) inaugurated the Mahatao Forward Operating Base on August 28, 2025.<ref name=opens>{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |title=Navy opens new forward operating base on strategic Batanes island |url=https://www.inquirer.net/454052/navy-opens-new-forward-operating-base-on-strategic-batanes-island |access-date=31 August 2025 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=29 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Plans to open a base in Mahatao is already present in April 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aspinwall |first1=Nick |title=Philippines beefs up defences on its northernmost edge amid China tensions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2024/4/7/philippines-beefs-up-defences-on-its-northernmost-edge-amid-china-tensions |access-date=31 August 2025 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
==Facilities== The Mahatao Forward Operating Base is situated on Batan Island which is under the municipality of Mahatao in Batanes province.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lariosa |first1=Aaron-Matthew |title=Philippine Military Opens New Luzon Strait Base Near Taiwan |url=https://news.usni.org/2025/08/29/philippine-military-opens-new-luzon-strait-base-near-taiwan |website=USNI News |access-date=31 August 2025 |date=29 August 2025}}</ref> It is intended to host units of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Marine Corps under the Northern Luzon Naval Command and Marine Battalion Landing Team-10.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sadongdong |first1=Martin |title=AFP sets up forward operating base in Batanes for territorial defense |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/30/afp-sets-up-forward-operating-base-in-batanes-for-territorial-defense |access-date=31 August 2025 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=30 August 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Military Bases of the Philippines}}
Category:Military installations of the Philippines Category:Buildings and structures in Batanes Category:Naval installations of the Philippines Category:2025 establishments in the Philippines