Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata, Chair of the Committee on Labor and Employment Opportunities and Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, strongly opposed reports of a proposed United States-funded military oil depot in the Davao Region.
Librado-Morata warned that such a project could undermine Philippine sovereignty, endanger civilians, and entangle the country in foreign conflicts.
In a privilege speech, Librado-Morata raised alarm over reports that the United States has opened bidding for the construction of a facility intended to support its expanding military operations in the Indo-Pacific.
“One that directly affects our sovereignty, our security, and the fundamental rights of our people,” Librado-Morata said.
She stressed that the project goes beyond simple infrastructure development, describing it as “a strategic military installation” tied to existing defense agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
“As Chair of the Committee on Human Rights, I cannot remain silent,” she added.
Librado-Morata placed the issue within a broader global context, citing ongoing international conflicts.
“The United States is currently engaged in a war with Iran – widely described as a ‘war of choice’ – a conflict driven by geopolitical interests rather than necessity,” she said.
She warned that facilities like the proposed oil depot “are not neutral; they enable war,” and could transform the Philippines into “a proxy staging ground for foreign conflicts.”
“This is not simply about defense cooperation. This is about being drawn into conflicts that are not ours. Dili nato tugotan nga padayon nga mahimong extension sa maski unsa nga langyaw nga military intervention ang atoang yuta. Dili nato tugotan nga ang Pilipinas mahimong proxy sa mga gyera sa mga dagkong nasod.
Bisan wala kita’y apil sa gyera nga giapilan sa US, mahimo kitang target kung kita mahimong refueling hub,” she said.
She pointed to examples of other countries that became targets after hosting U.S. military facilities, adding that ordinary citizens would bear the brunt of any potential conflict.
“Kung mahimong target ang atong lugar, ang unang maapektuhan mao ang ordinaryong katawhan,” she said.
Librado-Morata also criticized the timing of the proposal, noting that Filipinos are currently facing economic hardship due to rising fuel prices and energy insecurity.
“Yet we are prioritizing infrastructure that fuels foreign military operations. Samtang ang katawhan naglisod sa kamahal ug kakulang sa produktong petrolyo, ang gobyerno motugot og depot para sa militar sa usa ka langyaw nga nasud nga mo-imbak og lana para sa gera,” she said.
She further argued that the proposal may violate the 1987 Constitution, which mandates an independent foreign policy anchored on national sovereignty and interest.
“The Philippines must uphold a policy of neutrality and independence. We must not host foreign military bases-US or otherwise-on our soil, nor allow our territory to be used as a platform for any foreign power’s war. Our land must serve the Filipino people, not foreign military interests,” she said.
Librado-Morata called on her colleagues in the city council to take action.
“I call on this body to pass a resolution expressing our collective opposition to any move that undermines our security as Dabawenyos and sovereignty as a nation, and reject any move that turns our country into a proxy for foreign wars,” she said.
