Philippines Budget Management Minister Awad

Natural gas field development costs in the arms license upgrade to "defend" the South China Sea oil and gas resources in disputed waters

Morning News yesterday, the Philippine government announced that the country is located in the South China Sea Malan Paya (Malampaya) gas 49.5 billion pesos (about $ 117 million) mining license fees will be used for military upgrade. It is reported that the money will be used to buy helicopters, warships and radar station built in order to strengthen the disputed South China Sea and China Sea oil and gas resources "to defend."

The Chinese government has not yet comment.

Another $ 117 million investment

Philippines Budget Management Minister Awad said in a statement yesterday, the Maryland field Paya 49.5 billion pesos (about $ 117 million) mining license fees will be used to upgrade the country's military. The gas field is located east of Palawan Island, South China Sea.

4.95 billion pesos, the Philippine Air Force will be 2.3 billion pesos for the purchase of three helicopters and the construction of a hangar; Philippine military will get 2.65 billion pesos for the improvement of its military logistics and strategic delivery systems, and Coast Guard facilities purchase of three rescue helicopters and warships.

Awad said: "This will be the territory of the Philippine armed forces, defense needs to provide the necessary funding, including Malan Paya gas power projects provide strong security." He said the money will be in the Air Force and Navy to defend Reed Bank and the Sula Sea oil and gas resources and other support.

In fact, the Philippine Energy Minister al-door las disclosed at the end of August on the relevant information: Malan Paya gas mining license fees will be used to "defend the work." He said the South China Sea by the Philippines Department of Defense to determine the build number of the radar. Prior to the Philippine Air Force spokesman said, could build three radar stations in the South China Sea.

Malan Paya gas production in October 2001. The gas project is the largest investment in Philippine history of energy development projects. Fully operational, the annual natural gas project savings of $ 600 million for the Philippines about the cost of energy imports.

Strengthen the military procurement

Philippine President Corazon Aquino III on September 3 has just concluded state visit to China, some analysts believe that Aquino III's visit, the South China Sea, tensions will be cool.

Aquino III, said in a speech that day to return this back to the Philippines to visit his $ 1.3 billion in new investment, 38 billion "almost certain" investment and $ 7.9 billion investment could total $ 13 billion. In addition, China will provide 20 million yuan to the Philippines for free technical assistance.

However, the same day, the Philippines announced that the 2012 purchase of a second aircraft from the United States, Hamilton-class patrol boats deployed in the South China Sea news. Prior to this, the Philippines from the U.S. Navy purchased a second-hand patrol boats, the United States in August has just arrived from the Philippines. This is intended to defend the Philippines in the disputed area of ""oil exploration activities.

Aquino III, became president last year to actively promote the process of military modernization, and instructed the Philippine military to gradually shift from territorial defense to maintain internal security. Philippine military said earlier that the next round of arms sales to the territorial defense and external defense.

"This will be the territory of the Philippine armed forces, defense needs to provide the necessary funding, including Malan Paya gas power projects provide strong security."