Sara slams U.S. ammo plant plan

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday voiced her opposition to the proposed construction of an ammunition manufacturing facility in the Philippines — a project floated by an envoy to bolster the defense cooperation between Manila and Washington.

Duterte warned that such a move would compromise the country’s independent foreign policy.

“Our Constitution clearly states that we should pursue an independent foreign policy. If the government’s actions are leaning toward just one country, then that’s no longer a truly independent policy,” she told reporters in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Vice President is currently in The Hague visiting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is being held at the Scheveningen Prison on a charge of crimes against humanity in connection with the drug war killings during his administration.

“This shouldn’t just be me opposing this. All of us Filipinos should stand against this plan,” she said. “Our actions should always serve the interest of our country — not the interest of any other nation.”

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez earlier said an ammunition production facility could enhance both the defense and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the US. He pointed out the project could generate local jobs.

Reports have indicated that US lawmakers are exploring the possibility of building the joint ammunition plant in Subic Bay.

But Duterte stood firm: “It’s not just about the US — it doesn’t matter which country. Our actions as Filipinos should not serve foreign interests. Everything we do should be for the good of our nation.”