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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NSC: No US military bases in PH; EDCA sites remain under AFP control

NSC: No US military bases in PH; EDCA sites remain under AFP control

Published Mar 2, 2026 03:42 pm
National Security Council (NSC)
National Security Council (NSC)
The National Security Council (NSC) clarified that there are no American military bases in the Philippines amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and threats by Iran to strike United States military installations abroad.
In a statement read by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday, March 1, the council stressed that the locations referred to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are Philippine military bases.
“There are no American military bases in the Philippines,” the NSC said in a statement.
“The sites referred to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are Philippine military bases that remain under the full ownership, control, and management of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” it added.
The clarification comes as Iran declared it would target American military bases following recent exchanges of attacks involving Israel and the United States, raising concerns among some sectors, given Manila’s close alliance with Washington and the presence of EDCA sites in the country.
The NSC said it is closely coordinating with security agencies to monitor developments.
“The National Security Council, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of National Defense, and other concerned agencies, continues to closely monitor the developments in the Middle East,” it said.
“At this time, tensions remained confined to the region, and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory, including our military facilities,” it added.
The council also called on the public to remain cautious against false information.
“So, we urge the public to remain calm, exercise discernment, and be vigilant against disinformation,” it said.
Under the EDCA, an agreement between Manila and Washington, US forces are allowed rotational access to agreed locations within Philippine military camps for joint training, prepositioning of equipment, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response, while ownership and control of the bases remain with the Philippines.
Social media is abuzz with narratives claiming that the EDCA sites in the Philippines could be targeted following Iran’s attacks on nearby US facilities.
There are currently nine EDCA locations in the country where the US military may operate on a rotational basis: Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija), Lumbia Airport (Cagayan de Oro), Balabac Island (Palawan), Camp Melchor Dela Cruz (Gamu, Isabela), Lal-lo Airport (Lal-lo, Cagayan), and Naval Base Camilo Osias (Santa Ana, Cagayan).
The first five sites were established when the agreement was signed in 2014, while the last four locations were approved by President Marcos in 2023 to strengthen the country’s defense and improve capability for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) logistics and coordination.

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National Security Council NSC Iran airstrikes EDCA PH-US Claire Castro
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