Malacañang has announced the four locations that have been considered as "suitable and mutually beneficial" to become additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites. It underscore these sites are expected to boost the country's disaster response.

In a statement, the Palace said the four locations inspected and assessed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) include:

• 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

Photo from Malacañang

According to the Palace, the locations will also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters.

During an Army event last month, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Filipino and American officials have already identified and agreed on the four new sites and would soon make a formal announcement soon.

According to the President, the four extra sites will be scattered around the Philippines to defend the country's eastern coast while considering the Philippines' continental shelf on Luzon's eastern side.

To overcome opposition from some local government units (LGUs) not keen on hosting US forces and equipment, Marcos said he talked to the officials of these LGUs, and explained the importance of the EDCA sites in their jurisdictions.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong had said the EDCA sites would not be American military bases, noting these sites would only be used as storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics.

In February, President Marcos granted US troops access to four more Philippine military camps on top of the five existing locations under the EDCA.

Filipino and American troops are also scheduled to hold their largest-ever military exercise this April.

The Pentagon announced that the United States and the Philippines have agreed to review the full range of their maritime cooperation in the 2 + 2 meeting in Washington this month.