President Bongbong Marcos has defended the four new additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) saying that these sites will not be used by the United States for offensive actions.
“Ang reaksyon ng China ay di naman siguro kataka-taka pero hindi… naman tayo papayag na gamitin ang mga bases natin sa kahit anong offensive na action,” Marcos said in reaction to China’s concern of the four new sites.
The chief executive also maintained that the new sites are already existing bases.
“These are existing bases. Unang-una, these are existing bases… lahat ito existing na ‘yan, mayroon na tayong kampo diyan na dati pa,” he added.
The four EDCA sites recently announced include Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
Under the EDCA signed in 2014, American troops can access designated sites to allow them to build facilities and preposition equipment for training and humanitarian assistance.
The EDCA however prohibits permanent basing in these areas.
