Recto airs alarm over Manila Bay reclamation projects

MANILA, Philippines — Some China-backed reclamation projects in Manila Bay pose possible threats to national security, according to a senator.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto recently aired his concern over the proposed Sangley Point International Airport and several reclamation undertakings at Manila Bay, which are near the Philippine Navy’s base and headquarters.

He noted that among the contractors is state-owned China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), one of the firms involved in the construction of the militarized artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, and among those blacklisted by the US government and the World Bank.

Recto noted reports that the reclamation projects would block government vessels’ access to the Navy’s headquarters along Roxas Boulevard while the proposed airport would drive out the naval base at Sangley Point in Cavite.

“They are legitimate concerns. We should not reward Chinese state corporations who are responsible for reclaiming and constructing military facilities on the Spratly islands to do business in the Philippines,” Recto said.

Navy chief Adm. Giovanni Bacordo earlier said he would not allow the naval base to be removed from Sangley Point just to give way to the airport project as the military installation is guarding the entrance to Manila Bay.

Manila Bay reclamation projects include two private proponents, UAA Kinmeng and Waterfront, which reportedly partnered with CCCC and China Harbour Engineering Corp.

Waterfront is reportedly the developer of two islands right in front of the Navy headquarters for commercial use in 2017.

Critics have warned that when the two projects are built, it would cut off the Navy headquarters’ access to Manila Bay.

The Navy asked that the plan be revised to allow access of naval vessels to the headquarters but Waterfront, CCCC and CHEC gave it a winding channel that was only 120 meters wide.

Bacordo, however, told The STAR said the Navy has found the channel wide enough “for our patrol gunboats.”