Amb. Carlson: US-funded fuel depot being built in Cebu belongs to PH

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that the US-funded fuel depot site being built in the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City belonged to the Philippines.

"This is a Philippine military base. The Philippine Air Force determines who can fuel up there," said Carlson in a “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday. "So primarily, that's going to be Philippine military."

The ambassador added that, once completed, the site would enhance interoperability of the US and Philippine armed forces.

"But that site belongs to the Philippines," Carlson emphasized.

The ambassador visited and inspected the fuel depot at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base and said the depot was 28% completed.

The air base is one of the originally designated sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US.

The fuel depot is set for completion either in September or October.

It has two tanks with a capacity of 40,000 gallons, with a construction cost of P150 million.

This project is included in the agreement between the Philippines and the US for military modernization.

Carlson also visited the Mactan Export Processing Zone, Cebu Provincial Capitol, and some historical places in Cebu. — LBG, GMA Integrated News