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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, US not talking about new EDCA sites, says envoy

PH, US not talking about new EDCA sites, says envoy

Published May 8, 2023 06:58 am
The Philippines and the United States have already halted discussions on identifying new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites as the two sides are now talking on how the nine existing sites will be used. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez said Monday Manila and Washington started focusing on preparing for eventualities, which were the reasons why in the first place the two countries are working towards strengthening their military alliance. "A lot of these sites have been chosen because of disaster preparedness, which is very important...that's one point," he said in an interview with ANC. "They [The US] are putting a lot of their assets in those identified sites for us to be prepared, or when we can use these sites for deployment of all of these things for any disaster that might happen," he added. Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office

Contrary to China's claims, the Philippines and the US "are not putting these sites directed against any country." "These are for us for our defense strategy," he said. In April, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. allowed access by US troops to four additional Philippine sites. The four new sites are the  Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan. They will join the five existing EDCA that are accessible for joint operations between Philippine and American troops.  These are: Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan; Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan De Oro. According to the Pentagon, the new locations will strengthen the interoperability of the US and Philippine Armed Forces and allow them "to respond more seamlessly together to address a range of shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters."

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Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez United States Philippines EDCA
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