Philippines, US announce designation of four new EDCA sites
MANILA, Philippines (2nd update, 07:30 p.m.) — The Philippines and the United States have agreed to expand its military partnership by designating four new sites “in strategic areas” under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
The agreement allows US military to access facilities in Philippine military bases and camps.
“The EDCA is a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, which supports combined training, exercises, and interoperability between our forces,” a joint statement between the US Department of Defense and the Philippine Department of National Defense read.
“Expansion of the EDCA will make our alliance stronger and more resilient, and will accelerate modernization of our combined military capabilities.”
It added that the addition of new EDCA locations "will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges."
This comes as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in the Philippines to strengthen the alliance of Washington’s oldest military ally in Asia. Austin is the latest to step foot in Manila for a string of high-level engagements between Manila and Washington, which included visits from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Vice President Kamala Harris last year.
Austin first visited Camp Navarro in Mindanao “to highlight the consistency and the interoperability of the US-Philippine alliance,” a senior US defense official was quoted as saying in a department article, noting that Washington extended efforts to maintain stability in southern Philippines.
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There are five existing sites identified under EDCA – namely in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Nueva Ecija, Palawan and Pampanga – and Defense officials from both Manila and Washington have agreed to expedite the completion of its existing projects. The US has provided over $82 million for the development of infrastructure in the five sites.
The four new EDCA locations have yet to be named. A Philippine official earlier told Agence France-Presse that negotiations are ongoing for a fifth site.
READ: Philippines to expand US access to military bases: official
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. explained that they first need to coordinate with local government units and local communities before establishing the sites.
“We are making some inspections on how we will do things, particularly that these areas identified are very vulnerable to climate change,” Galvez said in a joint press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III and Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. hold a joint press briefing, but held back from naming the locations of the additional four EDCA sites @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/zXZ2vVIuFU
— Kaycee Valmonte (@kayceevalmonte) February 2, 2023
Austin also clarified that the US is not “seeking permanent basing in the Philippines.”
“EDCA is a cooperation agreement that enables rotational activities and so it’s a key pillar of training and opportunities where we can strengthen our interoperability and it also provides us the ability to respond effectively to humanitarian issues,” he said.
Opposing new EDCA sites
Nato Reyes, secretary general of multi-sectoral network BAYAN, opposed the EDCA expansion, calling on lawmakers at the Senate to review the agreement, viewing it as a response to the geopolitical issue concerning Taiwan. Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan last year sparked tensions with China, as Beijing viewed it as a “serious violation” of the One-China principle.
Pelosi was the highest-ranked elected US official to step foot in Taiwan in over two decades. Her visit triggered China to conduct its biggest-ever military exercises around the self-governing island.
“Filipinos must not allow our country to be used as staging ground for any US military intervention in the region,” Reyes said. “Allowing US use of our facilities will drag us into this conflict which is not aligned with our national interests.”
READ: What the Philippines can learn from China's reaction to Pelosi's Taiwan visit
In a separate statement, militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) also rejected plans for additional EDCA sites.
“Our territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea are already militarized by China; the last thing that Filipino fishers want is an expansion of U.S. military bases at the further expense of our sovereign rights and territorial integrity,” PAMALAKAYA National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said.
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Reyes also added that the Philippines should remain vigilant with the US’ offer to help the country defend its territory in the West Philippine Sea, claiming that “the US did not stop China from its aggressive acts.”
China says US on smear campaign
China on Thursday accused the United States of dragging Beijing as it offered to expand defense and security cooperation with the Philippines.
“Its actions escalate regional tension and undermine regional peace and stability,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement on Thursday evening.
This comes as US Defense Secretary Austin hammered down Washington’s promise to back the Philippines in asserting its rights over the disputed waters, saying that it is ready to assist the country should there be armed attacks.
The Philippines has welcomed the possibility of holding joint patrols with the US in the West Philippine Sea, as it is within the ambits of the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty.
“China always holds that defense and security cooperation between countries should be conducive to regional peace and stability, not target against any third party, even less to harm the interests of a third party,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said.
“It is hoped that the Philippine side stays vigilant and resists from being taken advantage of and dragged into trouble waters,” it added.
Meanwhile, China also accused the US of going on a smear campaign against Beijing. Austin, during Thursday’s joint press briefing, said discussions with his Philippine counterparts included the “destabilizing activities” in the waters around the country.
“These efforts are especially important as People’s Republic of China continues to advance this illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea,” Austin said. — with a report from Kristine Joy Patag
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