Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 4) — The four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines where US troops will be given access “should not be a cause for concern,” Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Saturday.
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Galvez said the implementation of the 2014 agreement between Manila and Washington is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to protect the country’s maritime and environmental interests, and respond to emergencies.
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“Thus, these EDCA sites should not be a cause for concern for anyone since it could also spur economic investments, joint protection and preservation of our maritime and natural resources,” Galvez pointed out.
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Under EDCA, the US can build temporary facilities in the Philippines for its troops and equipment.
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The AFP said the US-funded facilities will be “jointly operated” by the two countries, and will be turned over to the Philippine government after use.
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III also earlier said EDCA is “not about permanent basing” in the country, which is prohibited by the Philippine Constitution.
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“[It] enables both countries to increase joint training opportunities, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capability, and rotational activities to strengthen interoperability between our armed forces,” the AFP said.
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The Philippines and the US formally agreed on Thursday to build four new additional EDCA bases in “strategic areas,” though the locations have yet to be finalized.
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This is on top of the five existing sites: Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan.
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The US allocated $82 million to enhance these five sites as part of the EDCA expansion.
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READ: PH, US agree to boost American military presence, create 4 new EDCA sites
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When the four proposed sites are completed, US forces will have access to nine EDCA sites and can be indefinitely stationed there on a rotational basis.
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Defense officials earlier named Isabela, Cagayan, Zambales, and Palawan – all facing China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula – as potential EDCA sites.
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This early, the governors of Isabela and Cagayan have already expressed their reservations.
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READ: Cagayan, Isabela governors not keen on hosting EDCA sites
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