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Philippines OKs coastal defence regiment plan near Spratly hub
The Puerto Princesa City Council approved a Department of National Defence proposal to place coastal defense regiment assets and logistics at Oyster Bay, a staging and resupply hub for Manila’s Spratly outposts.
The Philippines advanced a coastal defence project in Palawan that could affect Chinese operations near the Spratly Islands, even as analysts expect it will not close Manila’s overall military gap with Beijing. HousingCouncil in Puerto Princesa City 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. Oyster Bay is described as a strategic base used to stage and resupply Philippine forces in the Kalayaan Island Group, which Manila refers to as part of the features it occupies in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The defence ministry has not publicly detailed what specific systems will be deployed. During the council deliberations, local officials said the project could involve missile interceptor capabilities or shore-based anti-ship missile systems. In support of the plan, Puerto Princesa councillor Herbert Dilig backed the project while asking for clarification on the assets intended for the site, saying the purpose is both to protect and to address an expected need for protection given the current security environment, according to SCMP Economy.