Ched Rick Gatchalian

Residents take a stroll along the banks of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with a view of container ships docked on the horizon on Tipo, Subic, North of Manila on May 30, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Duterte slams talks to set up US ammunitions hub in Subic

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

WASHINGTON DC — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met with the United States&#x27; Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and several potential investors of a planned US ammunitions hub in Subic.Malacañang did not immediately say why the President met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, but noted that the agency &quot;provides objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the President, the National Security Council and other policymakers to help them make national security decisions.&quot;Marcos Jr. also met with officials from Cerberus, I Squared and KKR and Company, firms which have investments in Subic, and may be interested in helping develop a US congressional panel-approved ammunitions hub in the area.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/21/ph-starts-talks-on-us-ammunition-hub-in-subic-ambassador-0647">PH starts talks on US ammunition hub in Subic: ambassador</a></div>The Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA) earlier reported that Cerberus — an investment advisor with $65 billion in assets —  has expanded its operations in Subic Bay and hopes to build storage facilities in the area.Last year, I Squared Capital announced its acquisition of the Philippines Coastal Terminal in Subic Bay, the largest independent import terminal in the Philippines, while global investment firm KKR and Co. committed to spend some $400 million for the development of telecom tower operations in the Philippines in 2024.The US House Committee on Appropriations earlier directed the US Department of Defense to study the feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in Subic to address the &quot;lack of forward stage ammunition manufacturing facility in the Indo-Pacific.&quot;Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez earlier said that Filipino officials have begun discussing the ammunitions hub, but has yet to receive a formal project proposal from the US government.Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has also said that the Philippines welcomes the development of an ammunitions facility as it may help create more jobs and defense systems.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/30/teodoro-welcomes-us-plan-to-establish-ammunition-warehouse-factory-in-subic-1817">Teodoro welcomes US plan to establish ammunition warehouse, factory in Subic</a></div>However, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the Marcos Jr. administration over its discussions with Washington about the possible ammunitions hub in Subic.Duterte said that Filipinos should oppose the move, noting that the government must act in the country&#x27;s interests, and not the interests of the United States. &quot;Ang nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas, no, na meron tayong dapat independent foreign policy. Kung yung ginagawa ng gobyerno ay kung kiling sa iisang bansa lang, ibig sabihin nun, wala na tayong true independent policy,&quot; Duterte said.&quot;So, dapat hindi lang ako yung kumukontra, lahat tayo mga Pilipino kumukontra sa plano na ito, dahil ang ating mga galaw ay dapat for the interest of our country, hindi para sa interest ng ibang mga bansa. Hindi lang Amerika, kahit anong bansa yan, hindi para sa kanila ang galaw ng natin mga Pilipino. Ang mga ginagawa natin ay dapat para sa interes ng ating bansa.&quot;The US maintained a naval base in Subic Bay until 1991, when the Philippine Senate voted against extending the lease on US military facilities in the country. -- with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met with the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and several potential investors of a planned US ammunitions hub in Subic.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met with the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and several potential investors of a planned US ammunitions hub in Subic.

Marcos Jr. meets with CIA, potential investors of planned Subic ammunitions hub

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Marcos Jr. meets with CIA, potential investors of planned Subic ammunitions hub

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2025 05:39 PM PHT

Read More:

absnews

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Subic

ammunitions hub

CIA

security

defense

Central Intelligence Agency

Sara Duterte

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.