Manila, Feb. 2 (BNA): The Philippines granted the United States greater access to its military bases.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said the US will be granted access to four more sites under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Reuters reported that Austin, who is in the Philippines for talks as the United States seeks to expand its security options, referred to the Philippines’ decision as a “big deal” as he and his counterpart reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their alliance.
“Our alliance makes each of our democracies safer and helps preserve a free and open Pacific,” said Austin, who follows a visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris in November, which included a stop on the island of Palawan in the South China Sea. .
“We discussed concrete actions to address destabilizing activities in the waters surrounding the Philippines, including the West Philippine Sea, and we remain committed to strengthening our mutual capabilities to resist armed attack,” Austin said.
“This is just part of our efforts to modernize our alliance,” he added.
The additional sites under EDCA bring the number of military bases the United States has access to nine. The United States announced that it would allocate more than $82 million for infrastructure at the existing sites.
EDCA allows the United States access to Philippine military bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and building facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing, but not for a permanent presence.
Austin and Galvez did not specify which sites would be opened to the United States. The former Philippine army chief said the United States had requested access to bases on the main northern island of Luzon.
ZHB