Why Philippine, US forces tried to ‘scope’ a Chinese-linked steel plant in Mindanao

Philippine military officials said on Tuesday that Filipino and US personnel had tried to access a closed Chinese-linked steel plant in Mindanao as part of planning for a future naval facility and joint military exercises, extending a dispute that had already drawn protests from Beijing over Manila’s handling of Chinese workers at the site. Sanjia Steel Corporation, which leases 22.6 hectares (56 acres) inside the government-run PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental…