Malacanang said it has yet to receive a formal offer regarding a plan of the United States to establish an ammunition production and storage facility in Zambales.

Palace gave the reaction, following reports that the US House Committee on Appropriations ordered the US Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State and the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to assess the feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition production and storage facility in Subic Bay.

The report was welcomed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. saying a possible establishment of the said facility after US lawmakers noted that they are considering constructing it at the former American naval base in the Philippines, citing the “lack of a forward-staged ammunition manufacturing” site in the Indo-Pacific region.

Teodoro underscored that any production venture will benefit the Philippines as it can generate employment and technological transfers.

But despite the reported plans, no formal offer was made, a Malacanang official said.

Several sectors have been cautioning against the Philippines’ involvement in US military deals after Iran recently targeted a US base in Qatar amid its war against joint forces from Israel and the US.