The United States’ supposed plan to turn the Philippines into an ammunition production hub could be favorable for the country but strict national security measures should be in place if it pushes through.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian joins his colleagues in calling for the immediate removal of e-wallet applications’ links to any form of online gambling. (Senate PRIB photo)

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said this after it was reported that a US-led defense manufacturing partnership is eyeing the construction of a new ammunition production facility in the Philippines.

Gatchalian pointed out that the Philippines already has a new law promoting its own self-defense posture and directs the Department of National Defense (DND) to prioritize locally made products for military and law enforcement needs, including arms, ammunition and weapon systems.

The Senate finance committee chairperson is referring to the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act or Republic Act No. 12024 which was signed into law in October 2024.

“If these American companies come here, set up a business, there is already a law and we can provide incentives. They will be able to come here, build factories, make ammunitions and make other equipment,” Gatchalian said in an interview over Radio DZBB on Sunday, March 22.

“And that is okay for us. That would help in job generation. That’s also self-reliance. We will no longer buy from other countries and that would be a big help for us,” he pointed out.

The Philippines, he said, can also take advantage of technology transfer which would be the outcome once the US-led defense manufacturing partnership commences.

“The advanced technology would come here. I see that in our favor. But, we must also make sure that it won’t be abused,” the lawmaker pointed out.

Gatchalian said it is imperative that the Philippines’ national security won’t be compromised as a result of making the country a weapon depot.

“Correct. We must prioritize our national security interest that we should not be used in any conflict or situation,” the senator said.

“The important thing here is that we have the ability to manufacture such equipment and use it for our own needs,” he further stressed.

Earlier, the Pentagon issued a joint statement saying that the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience, also known as PIPIR—a group of nations working together to build weapons and defense manufacturing capacity in the Asia-Pacific Region—is now moving forward on its arms manufacturing partnership with other countries.

Launched in May 2024, the US-led multilateral forum is aimed at strengthening the defense cooperation among 16 Indo-Pacific and European partners to reduce supply chain risks and help allies produce and maintain military equipment near the vicinity it might be needed.

PIPIR is now looking into the Philippines hosting a new facility to load, assemble and package 30mm cannon rounds—a type of ammunition that is used by military aircraft and ground vehicles.

The same group is also said to be eyeing launching a new missile motor production program with Japan, and pushing a drone cooperation effort across Asia.