MANILA, Philippines — Washington plans to open a fuel depot in the southern Philippines that could support the humanitarian and maritime security missions of its main Southeast Asian ally, which is engaged in an increasingly hostile territorial struggle with China.
The presence of the US facility “will serve as a deterrent” to China, but also demonstrates the strong defense relationship between the allies, Rear Adm. Roy Vincente Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said on the sidelines of a maritime security forum in Manila.
Manila calls the part of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone the West Philippine Sea. Trinidad said the plan was still subject to negotiations, but was covered by the already existing Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.
Both agreements give legal cover for America to rotate its troops and preposition its equipment in the Philippines, where Washington once maintained its largest overseas naval base.
“They are designed to support our response capacity in HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response), maritime security and to support and sustain our deployed forces, not only in the West Philippine Sea, but even on the southern border. We welcome this development,” Trinidad said, adding that the facilities would still be under Philippine control.
Although no details of the plan have yet been released, the Pentagon planned to open a Defense Fuel Support Point, or DFSP, in the southern Davao region by 2028, capable of supporting more than 40 million gallons of fuel and lubricants.
“Geostrategic reassessment”
The United States’ consideration of Davao for the DFSP amounts to a “geostrategic reassessment” of the region, Professor Chester Cabalza, founder of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, told Radio Free Asia.
“The US refueling depot to be located in the southern Philippines can provide a vital alternative to the existing ports of Manila and Subic,” he said. “The planned hub opens up a broader maritime deterrence and logistical resilience strategy.”
At the forum, Trinidad refused to publicly disclose details of the project as they are still being finalized. But he sought to assure the public that the facilities would remain “under our control,” he said, referring to the Philippines.
Top security and defense officials attended the forum which comes amid hostilities in the Middle East that have prompted a review of fuel and energy supplies in the South China Sea and Pacific regions.
The proposed facility could support the Philippines’ efforts to monitor and protect its interests in the South China Sea, where its claims overlap with those of China and other Southeast Asian countries. As its neighbors try to resolve the issue peacefully, China has become increasingly assertive in recent years.
Asked if the Philippines was concerned that the proposed facility would give the Chinese another reason to step up harassment, Trinidad said: “The greatest risk to our security is the absence of credible deterrence.” »
“The biggest risk is having no deterrent at all. So we welcome these facilities,” he said. “These facilities will enable the AFP to carry out and maintain these operations. Therefore, they play a very strong deterrent role. We therefore welcome their presence.”
maritime “intimidation”
The Chinese Coast Guard, or CCG, has harassed Philippine government ships and aircraft in support of local fishermen in the region, often deploying militia vessels as an intimidation tactic. The Philippine Coast Guard, or PCG, on Thursday denounced a “clear and deliberate act of intimidation” by the GCC for firing flares directly at a Philippine government aircraft conducting maritime patrol on the Panganiban and Zamora reefs in the South China Sea.
The Chinese also sent radio transmissions during the incidents, openly claiming “indisputable sovereignty” over the reefs, the PCG said. These allegations are part of Beijing’s “expansionist agenda and repeated violations” of international law, he adds.
“These reckless and aggressive actions by China represent a further escalation in their campaign of intimidation and harassment,” the PCG said, adding that firing flares at the plane endangered the lives of the crew on board.
Addressing the conference, Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stressed that although the current geopolitical environment has become more complex, “dialogue, mutual respect and consensus are very important.”
“These are not abstract ideals. These are the very conditions that have allowed our region to grow, connect and thrive. And these are the principles we must continue to uphold,” Brawner said.
“At the same time, we must be clear-eyed about the changes around us. Our maritime domain is increasingly shaped by changing geopolitical dynamics, evolving security challenges, rapid technological advancements, and the growing effects of climate and environmental pressures,” he said.
He said the Philippine military believes that “maritime security is both a national duty and a shared responsibility.”
“We remain committed to protecting our sovereignty and securing our maritime interests, in accordance with international law and in a manner that contributes to regional stability. We will continue to act with professionalism, discipline and restraint,” he stressed.
He called for stronger collective efforts to increase awareness of the maritime domain, while strengthening confidence-building measures to “build trust and reduce the risk of miscalculation.”
The Chinese embassy in the Philippines did not respond to requests for comment.
Edited by Eugene Whong.