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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Año throws support for EDCA, group of military generals backs 4 new sites

Año throws support for EDCA, group of military generals backs 4 new sites

Published Mar 25, 2023 08:15 am
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and United States is meant to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and not to antagonize other nation, as a group of military general and flag officers expressed support for the establishment of four additional EDCA sites. EDCA, signed in 2014 by the Aquino administration, allows the rotation of US troops in mutually agreed locations in the Philippines where American forces could temporarily use the facilities of the AFP. The US military could also store defense equipment and supplies at these facilities. “The Philippines is concerned about improving its defense capability, modernizing our equipment and assets, and developing our infrastructure. These are the primary reasons why we are increasing our security cooperation with the United States,” Año said in a statement Friday, March 24. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last Wednesday, March 22, that four additional EDCA sites will be established in Palawan which is near the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and in northern and southern parts of the country as part of the expansion of the agreement. These are on top of the five existing EDCA sites scattered nationwide: at Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Mactan-Benito Air Base in Cebu. The US has so far allocated over $82 million towards infrastructure projects at these sites. The EDCA sites were chosen in accordance with the Strategic Basing Plan of the AFP, according to Año. Under the Strategic Basing Plan, permanent military bases for land, air, and naval forces must conform to national defense strategies and the government’s socio-economic’s thrusts. “The identified EDCA sites are Philippine bases which we want to develop based on the requirements for strategic basing and development of the AFP. These were not US-dictated but identified by our armed forces,” Año explained. Meanwhile, the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) also expressed support for the establishment of the four additional EDCA sites. “This initiative will not only enhance the interoperability of the two allies’ defense forces and accelerate the modernization and capability upgrade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines but will significantly improve government responses, like humanitarian assistance and relief operations to various emergency situations and climate-related disasters,” AGFO said in a separate statement. The establishment of four more EDCA sites will also result to increased joint military trainings between the Philippines and US armed forces, the group stressed. AGFO said this could be crucial in enhancing the AFP’s capability to detect, deter, and counter violators in the Philippine territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The establishment of additional EDCA sites in the country was met with opposition from some local government officials. Among them is Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba who expressed reservations for the inclusion of the province as among the areas eyed to be the location of the new EDCA sites. He said that Cagayan might be caught in a possible crossfire between China and Taiwan, which is close to the province, in case tension flares between the two countries over territorial issues.  China claims that the self-ruling Taiwan is part of its territory. Washington has reportedly committed to defend the Taipei in case of an invasion by Beijing.
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