There hasn't been an issue since 1989. To America the islands are a former Spanish territory in the middle of the ocean that is not a potential base.

MANILA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States reiterated on Thursday its support to the Philippines' Coast Watch South project which entails the installation of radar and other monitoring equipment in the porous islands of Mindanao to monitor and prevent the regional movements of terrorists and pirates.

The assurance was made by Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, who headed the U.S. delegation that met with Philippine armed forces Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado for the yearly Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Board and security engagement meeting.

At a press conference after the meeting, Keating said "We are committed to supporting Coast Watch South, as we have learned in the united states and other allies and partners, challenges intended to incorporating inter-agency involvement, is essential particularly in the maritime domain."

"We have recommended our support to the Philippine armed forces, in particular to the government of the Philippines to find the correct way to implement Coast Watch South," Keating added.

On his part, Ibrado said the U.S. is helping the Philippine government install radar stations and other monitoring equipment as the country guards its borders with its ASEAN neighbors and even its local sea lanes against pirates and terrorists.

"Specifically they are going to assist us in putting up radar stations in the Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi archipelago and the eastern part of Mindanao. The support we are getting is quite substantial," Ibrado said.

"We also have our counterpart, and we hope in the coming months.. and by next year we will be able to put up the system which would somehow be put in use already," he added.

Coast Watch South, which is also being supported by Australia, calls for maritime surveillance and patrol that also involves ships and planes on routes that are being used by terrorists in going in and out of the country.

The project will strengthen the cross border patrol agreements by the country with Malaysia and Indonesia, whose aims were to stop regional smuggling, piracy and other transnational crimes.