July 23, 2025 — Washington, D.C.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed fears that the Philippines might provoke China by allowing the construction of a U.S.-funded ammunition hub in Subic, Zambales, emphasizing that the Philippines has already long been within China’s radar.
Speaking to the media at Blair House during his official visit to the United States, Marcos stated,
“There’s been much comment that these military infrastructures and programs we are initiating will make us a target of China. Are we not already a target for China? What we are thinking about is protecting the Philippines.”
The announcement of the planned ammunition facility drew renewed attention amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. However, Marcos stressed that the hub is part of the country’s Self-Reliance Defense Program and is aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in collaboration with long-time ally United States.
“What we consider part of the modernization of the Philippine military is really a response to the circumstances that surround the situation around the South China Sea,” Marcos said during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The Subic facility, according to Marcos, is seen not just as a strategic defense initiative but also as a commercial and economic investment backed by the U.S. government.
Subic Hub to Help Address Global Ammunition Shortage
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed that the planned ammunition hub would help respond to a worldwide shortage of munitions, including various types of ammunition ranging from direct fire to indirect fire systems.
“We’re looking at this from a business standpoint. Once the proposal is finalized, we’ll have more details. But this is also about jobs, investments, and enhancing our logistics capabilities,” Teodoro said.
The initial phase of the project is expected to generate employment for 200 to 300 highly technical personnel, with additional jobs emerging from downstream industries such as port logistics and manufacturing support services.
Trump: Ammunition Hub Will Be Historic
President Donald Trump, in remarks delivered during the bilateral meeting, highlighted the importance of the facility for both nations, saying it would help ensure that the U.S. and the Philippines have more ammunition “than any country has ever had.”
“We’re going to have all kinds of ammunition—fast, slow, accurate, you name it,” Trump said.
The hub will be located in Subic, a former U.S. naval base now being revived under the Luzon Economic Corridor, a U.S.-backed infrastructure and investment initiative.
Strengthening Supply Chains
The Luzon Corridor’s flagship project includes a 250-kilometer freight railway linking Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas—all key logistics and defense nodes. Marcos and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also met to explore ways to strengthen regional supply chains, especially in semiconductor manufacturing and infrastructure.
Construction of the freight corridor is set to begin in 2027, with design targets aligned for 2026. While an official proposal for the ammunition hub has yet to be finalized, both nations have expressed strong commitment to its development.
“This is a step forward for Philippine self-reliance, economic growth, and security,” Marcos concluded.
