US to build ship maintenance facility in southwest Philippines: Report

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US will build a boat maintenance facility in the southwest Philippines province of Palawan, according to a media report on Wednesday.

The compound will consist of two multi-purpose interior rooms for equipment storage or conference use, and will be used to repair and maintain capabilities for several small Philippine military watercraft, said the Philstar newspaper, citing the US Embassy in Manila.

Palawan borders the South China Sea, on which Beijing and Manila have claims, with China asserting control over nearly the entire region.

The facility was "approved by the government of the Philippines in accordance with all applicable US and Philippine local rules and regulations," and is "not a military base," according to the embassy, as cited by the newspaper.

The embassy also said all US military activities in the Philippines are conducted "in full coordination with our Philippine allies."

The Philippines is the US’ oldest military ally in the Asia-Pacific region, where American forces have access to Philippine military bases under a mutual defense treaty.