DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Perhaps for the first time in many years, the City Government of Davao and activists in the city share a common stand in opposing the plans of the United States building a military oil depot along the Davao Gulf.
The opposition comes amid reports that the US Defense Logistics Agency issued a solicitation on March 31 for contractors to build a Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) along the western coast of the Davao Gulf, covering parts of Davao City and Davao del Sur.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the project falls under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows US forces access to agreed locations in the country.
The Davao City Government in a statement on April 14 opposed the construction of foreign military facilities within its jurisdiction.
“The City Government of Davao does not welcome and will oppose any plan to build foreign military facilities within the jurisdiction of Davao City.
“If such a plan does not help the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, such as reducing the price of oil and commodities and alleviating the living conditions of the people, then we will not support it.” their statement reads.
Back in 2004, barangay officials of Davao City signed a manifesto in the Sangguniang Panlungsod expressing opposition to the Joint US-RP Balikatan Exercises being planned in Davao. The City Council also passed a resolution inquiring the scope and extent of the military exercises. The move was hailed by progressive groups who led opposition against the US Visiting Forces Agreement.
https://www.bulatlat.com/news/4-34/4-34-unwanted.html
During the mayoral term of President Rodrigo Duterte, he openly criticized US military intervention in the country, and was upset over US FBI agents extracting suspected American agent Michael Meiring in a hospital after injuring himself with explosives hidden in his hotel room in 2002.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Mindanao urges other local government units in Davao Region to reject the US military plans.
The progressive group said allowing US military presence Increases “the risk of the Philippines being drawn into geopolitical conflicts among global powers”, alluding to the ongoing war between US and Iran.
Bayan also reminded that US military activities “pose real threats to communities through potential human rights violations, environmental destruction, and the militarization of civilian spaces,” recalling past human rights violations documented during Balikatan exercises all over the country.
It also raised concern how US forces have been using civilian infrastructure through RoRo vessels and commercial shipping to move military equipment.
The group said this demonstrates the extent of US operational access in the Philippines, citing an expanding network of facilities including EDCA sites, a supply hub in Subic, naval repair stations in Batanes and Palawan, and the transport of the Typhon missile system previously deployed in northern Luzon.
It also raised concerns over plans for additional facilities such as the proposed refueling depot in Davao, an ammunition production facility, and expanded logistics infrastructure in Subic.
The issue comes ahead of the annual Balikatan Exercises, scheduled from April 20 to May 8, which will involve thousands of troops from the Philippines, the United States, and allied countries.(davaotoday.com)
