US defense chief visits Subic shipyard, Navy HQ

Taipei, Taiwan— United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin paid a short visit to Subic Bay on Wednesday, in particular an American shipyard facility and the Navy headquarters.

The US embassy in Manila said Austin visited the Cerberus Agila Subic Shipyard, the future home of Hyundai’s shipbuilding in Subic.

“It was great to visit Subic Bay, including the headquarters of the Philippine Navy, at a time when we're doing more than ever to deepen our defense industrial cooperation and support the Philippine military's modernization,” said Austin in his X (former Twitter) account. 

Cerberus bought a shipyard in Subic in April 2022 and rebranded it as Agila Subic.

It said it plans to revitalize the facility, putting in place new information technology systems and other features.

The US-based company also partnered with the Philippine Navy, which was also visited by Austin.

"This highlights the contribution of [the United States, Philippines, South Korea] partnerships to a more prosperous and peaceful Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

During the 2+2 ministerial meeting in Manila on Tuesday, both countries agreed to identify the initial priority projects for investment under the Luzon Economic Corridor later this year.

The Philippines, US, and Japan agreed to strengthen economic cooperation early this year during the historic trilateral leaders' summit in Washington in April.

"A focus on critical transportation infrastructure in ports and rail, clean energy deployments to bolster the semiconductor industry, and commercial development of Subic Bay, and other projects as they arise," the joint statement read from the 2+2 ministerial dialogue.