US Navy to Build Repair Facilities in South China Sea

Manila, Jul 16 (AP) The United States Navy is set to build two repair and maintenance facilities for Philippine military vessels in a province along the South China Sea, a region where confrontations between the coast guards of the Philippines and China have been frequent.

The U.S. Embassy announced on Wednesday that the project will be carried out in Oyster Bay and Quezon town, located in Palawan province. A statement emphasized the commitment of the treaty allies to maintaining a "free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific." Palawan, which faces the contested South China Sea—almost entirely claimed by Beijing—serves as the headquarters for the Western Command of the Philippine military. This command is responsible for deploying navy patrol ships, surveillance vessels, and aircraft to safeguard the country's territorial interests.

In addition to the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are involved in long-standing territorial disputes in this strategically crucial and busy waterway, which has become a flashpoint in the geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China.

Although Washington does not lay claim to any territory in these waters, it has consistently affirmed its obligation to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, should Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft be attacked, including in the South China Sea.

Separate from this initiative, the U.S. military has established warehouses, barracks, and other facilities at nine different Philippine military camps under a 2014 defense pact. These facilities accommodate rotating deployments of American forces and provide storage for weapons.

Chinese officials have yet to comment on the U.S. Navy’s plans to build the two facilities in Palawan province. Historically, China has accused the United States of collaborating with its allies to curb China's growing influence. (AP)

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