President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has eased China's worries about the additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, saying the Philippines' bases would not be used for offensive action.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Ali Vicoy)

Marcos said this after China expressed concern about the four additional EDCA sites in the country, saying it could escalate tensions in the region.

In an interview in Bataan, the President said China's reaction was not surprising but assured it that he would not allow the country's bases to be used to attack the Asian giant.

"Ang reaction ng China ay hindi naman siguro katakataka dahil nag-aalala sila (China's reaction is not surprising because they're just worried)," Marcos said.

"Pero hindi naman tayo papayag na Pilipinas, hindi tayo papayag na gamitin ang mga bases natin para sa kahit anong offensive na aksyon (But the Philippines won't let anybody use its bases for any offensive action)," he added.

According to the President, the new EDCA sites, which he said were already existing bases and not newly built, would only be used to boost the country's defense.

"Kaya't kung wala namang sumusugod sa atin, hindi na sila kailangang mag-alala dahil hindi naman sila natin lalabanan (As long as nobody attacks us, they don't have to worry because we won't fight them)," Marcos said.

"Ang ginagawa lamang natin ay ipagpatuloy natin na pinapatibay natin ang depensa ng ating teritoryo, ang pagdepensa ng Republika (What we're doing is we're strengthening our territory's defense, we're boosting how we defend the Republic)," he added.

Last week, Malacañang announced four locations considered "suitable and mutually beneficial" as additional EDCA sites. It said that the following locations were inspected and assessed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP):

• Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan
• Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan
• Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela
• Balabac Island in Palawan
  
  

During the interview in Bataan, President Marcos said that the new EDCA sites would boost the country's disaster response.

"Our only treaty partner, which is the United States, we give them a chance to be able to come and help us in any way. Lalong-lalo na nag-umpisa talaga 'yan sa pagtulong sa disaster relief (Especially since this all started with their assistance in disaster relief)," he said.

"Ngayon, ang pinagpilian natin ay ang pinaka-nakikita natin na madalas ay napipinsala sa mga bagyo, sa ano mang disaster (Now, we're looking at the areas we see are always affected by typhoons and other disasters)," he added.