US Navy to Build Repair Facilities in Philippines Amid South China Sea Tensions

The United States Navy is planning to construct two repair facilities in the western Philippines, according to the US embassy. The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 16th. One of these facilities will be situated approximately 240 kilometers east of a disputed reef in the South China Sea.

The reef in question is located within the Spratly archipelago and is the site of the Second Thomas Shoal. A small contingent of Philippine forces is stationed there aboard a grounded navy vessel. This area has been the scene of confrontations with Chinese ships.

China asserts ownership over almost the entire South China Sea, a strategically important waterway. However, an international ruling has deemed China's claim invalid.

Information from the US government's contracting website, Sam.gov, indicates that one of the proposed repair facilities will be located in the Quezon municipality of Palawan province. The project's bid notice specifies that the facilities will offer repair and maintenance services for various Philippine vessels, including 7.32-meter watercraft and other smaller conventional watercraft.

The Philippines operates several vessels of this size, including rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs). These boats have been involved in clashes with larger Chinese vessels.

While there are no known permanent military installations in Quezon, the area has been used for joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines over the past two years.