US and Philippines finalize plan to build a munitions manufacturing center in Subic Bay; Trump: This is important

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated during his visit to the US this week that the plan to establish a US-backed munitions manufacturing center in Subic Bay is a long-term initiative under the "self-reliant defense posture" program, aimed at strengthening the country's defense capabilities.

On Wednesday, Marcos held a press conference in Washington with Philippine media reporters, stating that the project has been in the works for several months. Marcos met with US President Trump and senior US defense and intelligence officials during his trip.

Speaking to journalists, Marcos said, "This was decided a long time ago... not a year ago, but almost a year ago." Marcos added, "Even without help, we would still pursue it," and pointed out that the US only provides support to supplement the efforts of the Philippines.

According to the Philippine News Agency, Marcos made this clarification because he was concerned that the facility might provoke strong opposition from China. Marcos asked, "Are we not already a target of China? I think what we must consider is protecting the Philippines."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana attended the briefing with the president. He stated that the project will use a commercial foreign direct investment model, although its funding comes from the US Congress. Lorenzana said, "We can imagine a private entity carrying out the project in a commercial manner so that they can hire employees in a commercial way."

Lorenzana said that the facility will initially employ 200 to 300 highly skilled workers and may expand through downstream industries and port development. Lorenzana explained, "It will generate revenue for Subic in a commercial way... this will increase our trade flow. This is an example of how US government-funded foreign direct investment helps our people and achieves self-reliance."

The facility is also expected to help meet global demand for various calibers of ammunition, Lorenzana noted, as there is currently a shortage worldwide. He added that the commercial case for the project is still under review, and more details will be released once finalized.

Trump also emphasized the strategic importance of the planned munitions manufacturing center in Subic Bay this week, stating that it will enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities and the US military readiness. After a bilateral meeting with Marcos at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said in a press conference, "This is important. Otherwise, we wouldn't have approved it."

Trump said, "We need ammunition. In a few months, we will have more ammunition than any other country... missiles, whether fast, slow, or high-precision - we'll have them all."

Meanwhile, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte urged the public to reject the project on Tuesday. Duterte told GMA Network News, "It shouldn't just be me who opposes it; all Filipinos should oppose this plan because our actions should be for the benefit of our country, not for the benefit of other countries."

In addition, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the impeachment case against Sara Duterte was unconstitutional due to critical technical details - this ruling prevented her upcoming trial, as she faces a series of criminal charges, including threats of assassination of the president.

The Philippine House of Representatives impeached Sara Duterte in February this year and submitted the case to the Senate for trial. The spokesperson of the Philippine Supreme Court, Camille Dayanghirang, stated that the House of Representatives violated a rule that the chamber can only handle one impeachment case against an impeachable official within a year.

Between December last year and February this year, the Philippine House of Representatives received at least four impeachment cases against Sara Duterte, but only one was referred to the Senate, which was originally intended to serve as the impeachment court. According to the ruling, the other three impeachment cases were listed on the agenda of the House of Representatives but were filed and "effectively dismissed" without taking any action.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838632996992203/

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