MANILA, Philippines – Plano ng United States Department of Defense na magtayo ng bagong fuel storage sa Pilipinas sa 2028, ayon sa senior official ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong Biyernes, Abril 10.
Sinabi ni Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad na ang proyekto ay pasok sa Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“The news that came out recently on a fuel storage depot in southern Philippines is just advanced information. Details of that will have to be finalized,” ani Trinidad.
Mananatiling sa ilalim ng pamamahala ang refueling sites at layong suportahan ang key military at humanitarian functions.
Naka-disenyo rin ang mga pasilidad na ito na palakasin ang kakayahan ng AFP na tumugon sa humanitarian assistance at disaster relief operations, pagpapalakas ng maritime security, at panatilihin ang troop deployments sa critical areas.
“These are designed to support our response capability for HADR, maritime security, and sustain our forces deployed—not only in the West Philippine Sea, but even in the southern border.”
Pinabulaanan naman ni Trinidad ang mga pangamba na ang mga pasilidad na ito ay magbibigay-daan sa Pilipinas para maging target ng pag-atake at sinabing mas malaking banta ang kakulangan ng credible defense posture.
“The greater risk to our security is the lack of a credible deterrence. These facilities will help allow the AFP to perform and to sustain these operations. Hence, they serve at a very strong deterrent posture,” dagdag pa niya. RNT/JGC
