Repairs in Subic Bay urgent for air support in West PH Sea row

Plans to renovate an air base near Manila, enabling Philippine fighter jets to respond quickly to any Chinese moves in the disputed West Philippine Sea, may face delays due to a spending ban before general elections, a senior official said on Friday (September 25).

New fighter jets and two frigates are to be stationed at the former U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay northwest of the capital from early next year, the first time the massive installation will have functioned as a military base in 23 years.

Robert Garcia, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority — which is overseeing the conversion of the industrial and commercial complex — said the military had to move quickly to repair the base's airfield because a pre-election ban on military spending starts in March.

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