The United States embassy in the Philippines has confirmed the transfer of “clean fuel” from the US military facility in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to a commercial storage facility in Subic Bay, Zambales. This confirmation comes in response to concerns raised by Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos regarding the reported storage of 39 million gallons of fuel from the US Navy in Subic.
According to US Embassy spokesman Kanishka Gangopadhyay, the fuel was being transported by the US-registered tanker, the Yosemite Trader, from the Red Hill facility in Pearl Harbor to the Subic facility. Gangopadhyay clarified that all arrangements for the transfer and storage of the fuel were made through established logistics contracts with Philippine commercial entities.
It is important to note that this transfer of clean fuel is part of multiple shipments from the Red Hill facility to various locations in the Pacific. The embassy’s confirmation aims to address concerns about the nature and legality of the transfer.
Senator Marcos has called on the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide an explanation for the fuel transfer. She highlighted that international shipping trackers indicate that the oil cargo was loaded onto the Yosemite Trader on December 20 at Pearl Harbor and entered Philippine territory on January 9.
One of the key concerns raised by Senator Marcos is the storage of millions of gallons of oil in Subic, which is not an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site. She questions where exactly within Philippine territory this fuel will be stored. The senator emphasizes that this issue goes beyond foreign policy and touches on Philippine sovereignty and environmental safety.
Senator Marcos also expressed her unease about the lack of transparency from both Washington and Manila regarding this fuel shipment. She suggests that the silence surrounding the matter raises suspicions about the potential pre-positioning of military supplies in the country, particularly in light of predictions of a future conflict between China and the US over Taiwan.
It is worth noting that the Philippines has identified four new locations to accommodate US troops and equipment under the EDCA. These locations include Cagayan’s Naval Base Camilo Osias and Lal-lo Airport, Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and Balabac Island in Palawan. However, Subic is not among these designated sites.
While concerns have been raised about the fuel transfer, the US embassy’s confirmation emphasizes that the transfer was conducted through proper channels and in accordance with established logistics contracts. The embassy aims to allay any fears or uncertainties surrounding the nature and purpose of this transfer.
In conclusion, the transfer of clean fuel from the US military facility in Pearl Harbor to a commercial storage facility in Subic Bay has been confirmed by the United States embassy in the Philippines. The embassy assures that the transfer was carried out legally and in accordance with established protocols. Senator Marcos has called for further explanations regarding the storage of this fuel, highlighting concerns about Philippine sovereignty and environmental safety. The confirmation from the embassy aims to address these concerns and provide clarity on the matter.
Source: The Manila Times
