Lorenzana: Duterte allowed US to build barracks in local camps
In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana gestures during a press conference in Makati, south of Manila, Philippines. AP/Aaron Favila, File
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has allowed American troops to build barracks in local camps as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
Last week, the president threatened to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement after accusing the United States of building arms depot in the country.
The Defense chief, however, had clarified to the president that the US does not have plans of stockpiling weapons in the Philippines.
"Ewan ko kung saan nakuha ni presidente yung information niya but I corrected it. I talked to him sabi ko, 'Mr. President, first there was no construction yet sa mga EDCA camps. Wala pa. It will be constructed some time later this year or next year,'" Lorenzana said in a televised media briefing in Malacañan on Tuesday.
Lorenzana added that building an arms depot in the country is not part of the agreement with the US.
US troops will only be allowed to put up barracks and fuel tanks in local camps that can also be used by the Filipino military.
"Most of the equipment they will be bringing here are for humanitarian assistance and disaster response... They are strategically located around the country," the Defense secretary said.
In case American forces bring arms for war games, they will bring the weapons with them back to the US when they leave the country, Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana said that Duterte decided to push through with the EDCA on one condition.
"I actually asked his decision kung ituloy natin yung EDCA or not. Sabi niya, 'Ituloy natin pero be sure na walang stockpiling ng mga ammunition d'yan,'" Lorenzana said.
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