Source: ABS
See also: PLA: ‘China should take more Philippine territory’
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines plan to build a pier and
harbor at a naval base in Palawan, the island province closest to the
disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, according to officials
and a defense document.
Military officials confirmed Wednesday to reporters the plan to build “pier, harbor and support facilities” in Oyster Bay — the navy’s shipyard directly facing the South China Sea.
The project will cost around 313 million pesos (around $7.29 million), according to the document.
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have invited companies to bid on the project from Dec. 2.
Commodore Natalio Abinuman, commander of the Philippine Naval Forces West in Ulugan Bay in Puerto Princesa, said the project, when completed, will boost the Philippine territorial defense, adding the existing pier, harbor and facilities in Oyster Bay are dilapidated.
“We need this new port to refuel our ships…(and) to improve the support system for our ships that are deployed in the South China Sea,” Abinuman said.
Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokeswoman for the military’s Western Command based in Palawan, also said the new facility will “improve our capability in terms of territorial defense…(and) internal security operations.”
“Whether there is an emerging threat or none, I think the improvement of the facilities of our naval forces is just, especially those that are involved in our territorial integrity (operations).”
She said the navy has long been planning to upgrade the decades-old facilities in Oyster Bay. “We are very happy that the improvement of our facilities is materializing now,” she told reporters.
Manila and Washington are negotiating a new agreement to grant the U.S. military “expanded access” to Philippine airfields and ports, specifically for “servicing and maintenance,” including refueling and repair of U.S. aircraft and warships.
Philippine and U.S. officials have been silent about the details of the negotiations, but sources said Oyster Bay, a cove nestled in mangrove forests and limestone cliffs, is among the facilities that will be made accessible to the U.S. military.
China has territorial and maritime disputes with the Philippines over islands, shoals, cays and reefs in the South China Sea and has acted “assertively” in the area in recent years, alarming the Philippines and claimants Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The United States has repeatedly said it will not take sides in the various disputes, while urging claimants to resolve their differences peacefully.
The Philippines’ 1987 Constitution bans permanent foreign military basing on its soil, but the United States maintains strong security ties with the Philippines through a 1951 mutual defense treaty.
In 1998, Washington and Manila forged a visiting forces agreement, paving the way for increased military cooperation under the 1951 treaty.
Under the pact, the United States conducts ship visits to Philippine ports and resumes large combined military exercises with Philippine forces.
Military officials confirmed Wednesday to reporters the plan to build “pier, harbor and support facilities” in Oyster Bay — the navy’s shipyard directly facing the South China Sea.
The project will cost around 313 million pesos (around $7.29 million), according to the document.
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have invited companies to bid on the project from Dec. 2.
Commodore Natalio Abinuman, commander of the Philippine Naval Forces West in Ulugan Bay in Puerto Princesa, said the project, when completed, will boost the Philippine territorial defense, adding the existing pier, harbor and facilities in Oyster Bay are dilapidated.
“We need this new port to refuel our ships…(and) to improve the support system for our ships that are deployed in the South China Sea,” Abinuman said.
Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokeswoman for the military’s Western Command based in Palawan, also said the new facility will “improve our capability in terms of territorial defense…(and) internal security operations.”
“Whether there is an emerging threat or none, I think the improvement of the facilities of our naval forces is just, especially those that are involved in our territorial integrity (operations).”
She said the navy has long been planning to upgrade the decades-old facilities in Oyster Bay. “We are very happy that the improvement of our facilities is materializing now,” she told reporters.
Manila and Washington are negotiating a new agreement to grant the U.S. military “expanded access” to Philippine airfields and ports, specifically for “servicing and maintenance,” including refueling and repair of U.S. aircraft and warships.
Philippine and U.S. officials have been silent about the details of the negotiations, but sources said Oyster Bay, a cove nestled in mangrove forests and limestone cliffs, is among the facilities that will be made accessible to the U.S. military.
China has territorial and maritime disputes with the Philippines over islands, shoals, cays and reefs in the South China Sea and has acted “assertively” in the area in recent years, alarming the Philippines and claimants Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The United States has repeatedly said it will not take sides in the various disputes, while urging claimants to resolve their differences peacefully.
The Philippines’ 1987 Constitution bans permanent foreign military basing on its soil, but the United States maintains strong security ties with the Philippines through a 1951 mutual defense treaty.
In 1998, Washington and Manila forged a visiting forces agreement, paving the way for increased military cooperation under the 1951 treaty.
Under the pact, the United States conducts ship visits to Philippine ports and resumes large combined military exercises with Philippine forces.
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