THE CITY government of Davao openly opposed plans to build foreign military services in the city.
“The city government of Davao does not welcome and will oppose any plan to build foreign military facilities within the jurisdiction of Davao City,” the city government said in a statement on Tuesday, April 14.
This, following reports that a US military fuel depot is being planned to be established in the Davao Region.
On March 31, the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) issued a formal solicitation for contractors to bid on a Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) project in the said area.
The DFSP forms part of a broader network of refueling hubs intended to support US military vessels and aircraft operating across the Pacific.
It is expected to store up to 41 million gallons of fuel products and lubricants aimed to support US military operations.
The city government maintained that it will not support such a move if it does not help address the economic strain brought about by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“If such a plan does not help cushion 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,” the city government said.
To note, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Southern Mindanao strongly denounced the planned US military oil depot in Davao Region, considering it a grave violation of Philippine sovereignty.
The group called on the local government units of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and neighboring provinces to categorically reject the DFSP project and “uphold the region’s security and sovereignty against foreign military encroachment.”
“As consistently raised by concerned groups for years, increased US military presence in the country heightens the risk of the Philippines being drawn into geopolitical conflicts among global powers,” BAYAN stressed.
