New EDCA sites will be in Cagayan, Isabela, Balabac Island
MALACA脩ANG on Monday named the locations of the four additional military bases that will be included under the Philippines鈥 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.听听听
Three of the four locations that have been 鈥inspected and assessed鈥 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in the northern part of the Philippines.听听听
These are: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport, also in Cagayan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.听
Cagayan is just over 1,000 kilometers away from self-ruled Taiwan, which is being claimed by China.听听
Balabac Island in Palawan, which is facing the South China Sea, was also on the list, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.听听
In February, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. gave US troops access to four more EDCA sites on top of the five existing sites.听听听
Last month, he said the four additional sites would be scattered around the country and would boost the country鈥檚 ability to defend the 鈥渆astern side鈥 of Luzon, the country鈥s largest island.听听听
鈥To overcome opposition from some local government units (LGUs) not keen on hosting US forces and equipment, the President said he [had] talked to the officials of those LGUs and explained the importance of the EDCA sites in their jurisdictions,鈥 the PCO said.听听听
Filipino and American troops are set to hold their largest-ever military exercise this month. 鈥 Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
