Philippines’ plan to fortify coastal defences: deterrence or target?
The plan to establish coastal defence assets in Palawan is unlikely to close the country’s military gap with China, analysts say
On Monday, the Puerto Princesa City Council approved a Department of National Defence proposal allowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines to establish Coastal Defence Regiment assets and logistical facilities at Oyster Bay in Bahile village, one of the Philippine Navy’s most strategic bases.
Oyster Bay is a key staging and resupply hub for Philippine outposts in the Kalayaan Island Group – Manila’s name for the features it occupies in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The defence ministry has not publicly disclosed what assets will be deployed, though local officials said during council deliberations on Monday that the project could involve missile interceptor or shore-based anti-ship missile systems.
During the session, Councillor Herbert Dilig voiced support for the proposal but sought clarification on the military assets planned for the site.
“To be clear, I support this. Our country needs it, especially given the current security situation,” he said. “But the purpose is dual: to protect and to invite something that needs protection.”