PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has granted the United States more access to Philippine military bases that would increase American troop presence in the country amidst continuing threat posed by China in the region.
Where are the new sites?
The US Defense Department (DoD) said both countries have agreed to four additional military bases in the Philippines where the US troops can station, set up camps, dock their warships, place tanks, or land their fighter jets.
However, both sides did not disclose the four “new agreed locations” except to say that these are “strategic.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III announced this today, February 2, during his second day of visit to the Philippines. Austin met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his counterpart Secretary Carlito Galvez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and National Security Advisor Eduardo Año.
Galvez said they need to consult with the local governments first and also conduct inspection on where best to station the Americans.
Austin arrived in Manila Wednesday night. He flew to Zamboanga City yesterday where he also met a number of American troops who are stationed at Camp Navarro.
Austin also met Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino and Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Galido in Zamboanga City.
@SecDef Austin met with Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Año | Courtesy DFA
Is it the return of the US bases?
No, again this is not a return of the US bases to the Philippines.
“We are not seeking permanent basing here in the Philippines,” Austin said during a press conference.
The US military can stay and conduct joint exercises in the Philippines under the legal framework of Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Washington and Manila had earlier identified five military bases in the Philippines where the US can use and stockpile equipment. These are :
- Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan
- Basa Air Base in Pampanga
- Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija
- Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro
- Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu
Last November, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said they are thinking of adding EDCA locations in five bases — two in Cagayan, one in Palawan, one in Zambales, and one in Isabela.
Aside from the additional bases, both treaty allies have committed to complete “projects” in those existing locations.
The US has allocated over US$82 million (P4.5 million) as “infrastructure investments” at the existing five EDCA sites.
The United States and the Philippines have committed to “move quickly” in agreeing to the necessary plans and investments for the new and existing EDCA locations, the DoD said.
Why the US, PHL want more American troops
The Philippines and US are one of the oldest defense treaty allies in the world. Its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty binds both countries to aid another in case one is attacked by another foreign aggressor.
This treaty has not been tested despite many threats in the region for the past 71 years.
Despite this, both countries believe that their militaries need to be prepared in the event that this provision in the treaty is enforced.
So, militaries of both countries need to continuously train and be familiarized with each other’s systems or what they termed as “inter-operability.”
EDCA, the US said, is a “key pillar” in this alliance by giving the legal support to enable the Americans to train alongside Philippine military.
” EDCA is a key pillar of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, which supports combined training, exercises, and interoperability between our forces.
“Expansion of the EDCA will make our alliance stronger and more resilient, and will accelerate modernization of our combined military capabilities,” the statement said.
Climate change, job creation
Aside from defense posture, adding more EDCA sites “will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges,” the DOD said.
The presence of US troops in the five Philippine military bases are also “supporting economic growth and job creation in local Philippine communities,” it stressed.
“The Philippine-U.S. Alliance has stood the test of time and remains ironclad. We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together,” it added.
The joint presscon of Austin and Galewas aired live in the DoD website:
