Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang told Reuters that the top priority of the military right now is completing a naval base in the island of Palawan.
“There is nothing there yet, we are still constructing an access road and upgrading the water and oil depots that would service ships. There’s still much work to do,” he said.
The base at Oyster Bay is about 160 km (100 miles) from the Spratlys. It will be the future home of Philippine’s two Gregorio del Pilar-class frigates.
Catapang said 800 million pesos ($18 million) was needed for the initial development of the naval facility and then 5 billion pesos to turn it into a major operating base.