Bayan-SMR Denounces US Plan for Military Oil Depot in Davao Gulf
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan–Southern Mindanao (Bayan-SMR) has issued a strong condemnation against the United States' proposal to construct a military oil depot along the coasts of the Davao Gulf. In a statement released on April 12, 2026, the group labeled the Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) project as a severe infringement on Philippine sovereignty and called on local governments in Davao City, Davao del Sur, and neighboring provinces to reject it outright.
US Defense Logistics Agency Advances DFSP Project
According to Bayan-SMR, the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) formally solicited contractors for the DFSP on March 31, 2026. This facility is designed to serve as a refueling hub for US military vessels and aircraft operating across the Pacific Ocean, forming part of a broader network that includes upcoming sites in Australia and Papua New Guinea, as reported by the U.S. Naval Institute news service.
AFP Support and Geopolitical Concerns
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has welcomed the DFSP project, asserting that it falls under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), which permits US forces access to Philippine military bases. Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad argued that the depot would act as a deterrent rather than a target, stating, "The greater risk is to have no deterrence at all."
However, Bayan-SMR raised alarms, warning that increased US military presence heightens the risk of the Philippines being entangled in geopolitical conflicts. The group highlighted the upcoming Balikatan exercises from April 20 to May 8, 2026, which will involve 8,000 personnel from the US, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, featuring amphibious landings and live-fire drills.
Criticism of Marcos Administration and Defense Agreements
Bayan-SMR criticized the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for what it perceives as subservience to US interests, citing the signing of the US–Philippines Bilateral Defense Guidelines, expansion of Edca sites, and deployment of the US Typhon missile system in Northern Luzon. The group denounced these moves as part of a US imperialist strategy to pivot its presence in Asia, where rival powers like China and Russia are active.
Additionally, Bayan-SMR demanded the abrogation of what it calls unequal agreements, including the Edca, Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), arguing that they compromise national security and sovereignty.
