The Embassy of the United States in Manila has valid reasons to raise concerns about reclamation projects in Manila Bay, foremost of which is security. Lawyer Jay Batongbacal, University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director, said as host country, the Philippines has a responsibility to ensure the embassy’s safety. “What probably concerns them, first, it’s a historical area and second, they will now be surrounded by people, Chinese casinos or malls, and other buildings. The area is no longer secured,” he said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

US embassy concern 'valid' over Manila Bay reclamation. (2023, August 21). SunStar Pampanga, p. 2.