SEN. Maria Josefa “Imelda” Imee Marcos has expressed concern about the reported storage of 39 million gallons of fuel by the United States Navy in Subic, Zambales. The senator has sought an explanation from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding the transfer of military fuel from Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Subic, which is not a designated Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site.
Marcos, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, emphasized that Subic is not an EDCA site and questioned where millions of gallons of oil would be stored within Philippine territory. She emphasized that this issue goes beyond foreign policy and touches on Philippine sovereignty and environmental safety. Marcos called on the Philippine government to provide a clear explanation for the storage of the fuel.
According to data from international shipping trackers, the oil cargo was loaded onto the US-registered tanker, Yosemite Trader, at Pearl Harbor on December 20 and entered Philippine territory on January 9. As of Wednesday, the Yosemite Trader remained approximately 50 kilometers west of Subic Bay, according to Marine Vessel Traffic data.
Marcos expressed concern about the “inexplicable silence” from both the Philippine and US governments regarding the fuel shipment. This silence has raised suspicions about the pre-positioning of military supplies in the country, particularly in light of predictions of a potential conflict between China and the US over Taiwan.
The Stop the War Coalition Philippines has also demanded an explanation regarding this issue. The Hawaii Justice and Peace, which participated in a media forum organized by the Stop the War Coalition Philippines, stated via Zoom that the fuel delivered to Subic was previously stored in Red Hill, a World War 2-era facility that has fallen into disrepair.
The Hawaii Justice and Peace further claimed that a massive fuel leak at Red Hill had directly affected the drinking aquifer of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, leading to health issues for residents. Despite the transfer being reported by Hawaii media and announced by the US Department of Defense, the Philippine government has remained silent on the matter.
Lawyer Virgie Suarez of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya expressed concerns about the fuel transfer and questioned whether the Philippine government had allowed it or if they were caught unaware. Suarez warned of potential health and environmental repercussions, emphasizing the need for the public to be informed about the storage of these dangerous and combustible substances.
The storage of US Navy fuel in Subic, Philippines, without clear explanations from the Philippine government has raised concerns about national sovereignty, environmental safety, and the potential for increased conflict and unrest in the region. The public demands transparency and accountability regarding this issue to ensure the well-being of both the Filipino people and the surrounding environment.
Source: The Manila Times
