Philippines to build US-funded port on island facing Taiwan

In an interview at a Philippine navy event, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco said the US Army will arrive in late April to further discuss the new facility in the province. The port could be an alternative to the existing one on the island’s western side.

Cayco said that the plan, developed in coordination with the Philippine military, aims to accommodate fleeing Filipino workers in Taiwan in the event of a crisis. Last month, Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro expressed eagerness to bolster the military presence in Batanes.

China’s ambassador to Manila has said the Philippines is “stoking the fire” of tensions by offering expanded military base access to the United States, which Beijing accuses of attempting to interfere with its internal affairs concerning Taiwan.

Philippine Navy Vice-Admiral Toribio Adaci said in his speech on Saturday that the country needs to further improve its capabilities and boost its protection against possible threats of conquest or invasion.