Philippines to open base near disputed sea even without US

The Philippine air force and navy will go ahead with a plan to open camps in a bustling <g data-gr-id="11">freeport</g> facing the disputed South China Sea even if a proposed American military presence doesn’t happen, the defense secretary said on Friday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, unveiled plans two years ago to open air force and navy camps at the Subic Bay Freeport so fighter jets and frigates can respond faster to any contingency in the disputed waters where the Philippines has been facing an assertive China, which claims most of the area.

The Philippines signed an accord last year to allow allied American forces to temporarily station in camps including Subic, but the pact became uncertain after left-wing groups questioned its constitutionality at the Supreme Court.

While a US military presence in the camps would help, Gazmin said the government would proceed to construct the bases soon even if the court eventually decides against access for US troops.