MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines has allowed the U. S. to expand its military presence at 4 key sites in northern Luzon and Palawan as both countries pursue their collective defense posture and counter China’s growing aggressiveness in the region.
In an announcement on Monday, April 3, Malacañang said the following new sites are the two countries’ new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites:
The addition of 4 new sites brings the total number of sites under EDCA, an Army agreement by which the U. S. The U. S. pre-positions defense assets and builds facilities at local bases, from five to nine.
It marks the largest military footprint the U. S. will have on the Southeast Asian country in about 30 years, since 1992, when the Philippines ordered U. S. forces to withdraw from Subic Bay Base and Clark Air Force Base.
In particular, the Cagayan, Isabela, and Palawan sites provide the United States with greater extension to the western Philippine Sea, the Sulu Sea, and Taiwan. Itbayat, the northernmost inhabited island of the Philippines, just 149 kilometers from Taiwan.
The new EDCA sites add to sites known in the past in March 2016, adding Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Air Force Base in Cagayan de Oro; and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Force Base in Cebu.
Monday’s announcement comes just days before Manila and Washington hold “2-2” ministerial meetings of the defense and foreign ministries in Washington. The high-level talks are just one of two the Philippines has been holding lately with its ally, Japan.
In a media interview in late March, before Malacañang’s announcement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the 4 sites were selected “to protect the east coast [of the Philippines],” taking into account the country’s continental shelf east of Luzon.
The president also said he had spoken with local government officials, some of whom expressed concern about EDCA sites.
“We explained to them why it was vital for us to have this and why it would be really smart for their province. . . most of those who had lodged objections are literally at this time, Naintindihan Naman Nila (now understand) and accept the concept of an EDCA site in their province,” he said.
Once implemented, the two allies’ resolve to expand their EDCA will allow the U. S. military to expand their EDCA. The U. S. maintains a rotating troop presence, exercises with Filipino soldiers, and prepositions the country’s defenses.
In April, some 17,600 troops from the Philippines and the United States are expected to participate in Balikatan’s annual training in northern Luzon, Palawan and Antique.
Manila and Washington first announced their resolution to expand the recent scale of U. S. Defense Secretary S. U. S. Lloyd Austin III of EDCA in Manila on Feb. 1. The presence of the military in the country would increase the threat of the Philippines being dragged into the conflict.
Galvez, along with other defense officials and army officers, have sought to allay concerns in recent weeks, urging local governments to the economic opportunities that may arise from EDCA.
The defense official also told lawmakers earlier that the move was part of efforts for his security posture, after politicians shared concerns that the Philippines appeared to be preparing for war.
During his trip to Manila last February, Austin also sought to address concerns expressed through teams in the Philippines that an increased U. S. military presence would usher in the return of U. S. bases to the country.
Advances under EDCA, Austin said, “were not about a permanent basis. “But “it’s a big problem. It’s a big deal,” the U. S. defense official said. In the U. S. at the time.
Galvez, along with other defense officials and military officers, have sought to dispel considerations in recent weeks, urging local governments to take advantage of the economic opportunities that may arise from EDCA. The defense official also told lawmakers that the Philippines is not preparing. for war by inviting the United States to expand its military presence; Rather, the move was part of efforts to strengthen its security posture.
The Philippines’ ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez, also sought to protect the resolution to expand the EDCA. strategy to deter any form of aggression,” Romualdez said in an article published Sunday, March 19.
During his trip to Manila last February, Austin also sought to address concerns expressed through teams in the Philippines that an increased U. S. military presence would usher in the return of U. S. bases to the country.
Advances under EDCA “were not about a permanent basis,” Austin said, and the U. S. was not on a permanent basis. The U. S. government wasn’t looking for her either. But “it’s a big problem. It’s a big deal,” the U. S. defense official said. In the U. S. at the time.
The Philippines is strategically vital for any eventuality in the region. Because of the country’s geography, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said earlier that it would be “very hard to believe a situation where the Philippines is not involved in some way” in a standoff in the Taiwan Strait.
The long-delayed implementation of the EDCA has been noted as a “great result” in the defense relationship between the Philippines and the US. Treaty, in which both parties are dedicated to protecting the other in case of attack.
In February, Marcos himself stressed the urgency of ensuring that the military focuses on protecting Philippine territory.
Addressing the troops, the president pressed the urgency of making sure the military focuses on protecting Philippine territory. “That’s why I say your project at AFP has replaced,” he said. “Things have to be replaced and we want to adapt accordingly. “- Rappler. com