Philippines to reopen Subic Bay as military base
From early next year, the Philippines will station fighter planes and frigates at the base as territorial tensions with China continue to escalate.
Under the recently signed "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement", the US military can now deploy assets at Philippine bases for longer periodss of time and build barracks and facilities for logistics purposes.
The Philippines is set to reopen Subic Bay, which was one of the largest US naval facilities in the world, before it was shut down in 1992.
From early next year, the Philippines will station fighter planes and frigates at the base as territorial tensions with China continue to escalate.
Under the recently signed "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement", the US military can now deploy assets at Philippine bases for longer periods of time and build barracks and facilities for logistics purposes.
Subic Bay was converted into an economic zone after the Philippines terminated an agreement it had with the US.
Subic Bay's deep-water harbour lies on the western side of the island of Luzon, facing the South China Sea which allows it to respond more quickly to acts it could deem as territorial aggression.
The Philippines recently announced a US$20 billion overhaul of its armed forces and has held several combined military exercises with the US and Japan.
On the forefront of the dispute, the Philippines has started to repair a rusting ship it ran aground on a South China Sea reef to reinforce its position there, while at the Hague tribunal court, the Philippines has been presenting its oral arguments against China’s territorial claim of the nine dash line. - Channel News Asia
