Lorenzana: US to build facilities in Philippines' air bases

MANILA, Philippines - The military alliance between the Philippines and the US remains strong, with the Pentagon indicating it will soon start constructing some facilities on three key military air bases in the country, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

In a forum at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Lorenzana said the facilities would be built at Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Basa Air Base in Flordablanca, Pampanga and Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Although President Duterte remains critical of the US, he is aware of the Pentagon plans and has declared that he would honor all agreements entered into by the previous administration, including the enhanced defense cooperation agreement (EDCA).

Under EDCA, the US military is allowed to set up certain facilities within key Armed Forces of the Philippines facilities around the country.

“EDCA is still on and according to Pentagon they will start construction of some facilities on EDCA-chosen camps,” Lorenzana said. 

Duterte’s criticisms earlier led to the scrapping of the joint PHIBLEX (Amphibious Landing Exercises) and CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training). 

Lorenzana explained that the forthcoming US military construction activities are in accordance with EDCA provisions forged in accordance with the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

The facilities, when finished, would accommodate US servicemen on deployment in the country.

Lorenzana said the US is also expected to upgrade the airfields of the three air bases.