Philippines to Build New Naval Bases to Counter China

The Philippine Navy will build new naval bases to counter threats from China.

The Indo-Pacific Defense Forum reports this.

The creation of new bases is necessary to increase awareness in the maritime sphere and the ability to respond quickly to security challenges in the region.

Back in May this year, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced plans to build new naval bases.

“This modernization is not just about acquiring new equipment, but also about providing the Philippine Navy with the necessary skills, knowledge, tools, and support to protect our country’s interests,” he said.

The project includes the Nabasan Naval Base in Subic Bay and the Naval Support Base in Misamis Oriental, in the southern region of Mindanao.

The planned base in Subic is likely to replace a facility the Philippine Navy leased at a former shipyard. It will serve as an intermediate point for naval operations in the northern part of the West Philippine Sea (the name used by the Philippine government to refer to the parts of the South China Sea that are part of the country’s exclusive economic zone).

And the Misamis Oriental facility will help ensure the security of eastern Mindanao, in particular the strategic Surigao Strait, which provides transit to and from the Pacific Ocean.

Last November, the Philippine Defense Minister stated that the Misamis Naval Base could complement air operations at Lumbia Air Base during natural disasters.

Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the treaty allies, the air base is one of nine locations in the Philippines that U.S. forces have access to for missions such as disaster response.

According to the Philippine Navy, the new bases will enhance force projection and strengthen the ability to prevent infiltration into the area, thereby potentially restricting access to vital sea lanes.

Conflict with China

The conflict between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea continues over territorial claims and maritime disputes. The two countries have different claims to islands and maritime zones, leading to clashes between their ships and coast guards.