- US, PH give out the names of five bases to be used by American troops under EDCA
- The five bases are in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro
- Schedule of utilization to be announced soon
MANILA, Philippines – Following the 6th US-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue which was held in Washington, US and Philippine officials have released the names of the five bases to be utilized by American troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
The fives bases are: Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.
The schedule for the utilization has yet to be announced although both US and Philippine officials have expressed satisfaction at the latest development.
“What it signals is our commitment to our alliance with the Philippines and only our alliance to the Philippines. That’s what this is intended to signal, that the alliance is still strong and vibrant,” CNN Philippines quoted US State Department spokesman as saying. We want to see it continue to be stronger and more vibrant in the future. No other nation in the region should take any other message away from this new agreement.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose agreed.
“The five agreed locations under EDCA implementation reaffirms the shared commitment of the Philippines and the U.S. to strengthening their alliance, in terms of ensuring both countries’ mutual defense and security, as well as jointly contributing to regional peace, stability & economic prosperity,” he said.
EDCA, which was finally ruled as constitutional by the Supreme Court last January following a lengthy legal battle, will provide temporary bases to US troops operating in the Asia-Pacific region in light with US President Barack Obama’s drive to station more US forces in the region especially with China’s growing aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea. Infrastructure and other equipment will then be turned over to the Philippines after the lapse of 10 years.
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