President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Monday maintained that the four additional sites under the country's Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US would not be used for offensive actions.
The President made the remarks in response to China's claim that the temporary stationing sites are a threat to regional stability.
"Ang reaksyon ng China ay di naman siguro kataka-taka dahil nag-aalala sila pero hindi naman tayo papayag na gamitin ang mga bases natin sa kahit anong offensive na aksyon ," Marcos told reporters.
[China's reaction is not surprising because they are concerned but we will not allow our bases to be used for any offensive actions]
Marcos added that China has nothing to worry about the additional military facilities, noting that the Philippine government will only use them to enhance its defense posture as well as aid in relief operations during disasters.
"Kaya't kung wala namang sumusugod sa atin, hindi na sila kailangang mag-alala dahil hindi naman sila natin lalabanan,” he said. “Ang ginagawa lamang natin ay ipagpatuloy natin na pinapatibay natin ang depensa ng ating teritoryo, ang pagdepensa ng republika.”
[As long as no country is attacking us, there's no need for them to worry because we won't fight them. What we’re doing is we continue to strengthen the defense of our territory, the defense of the republic.]
Earlier this month, the national government announced the location of the four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, which could temporarily host US military logistics and personnel on a rotational basis.
The four locations are the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Isabela; and Balabac Island, Palawan.
According to the President, all four additional EDCA sites are "existing bases."
"These are existing bases. Lahat ito existing na 'yan, mayroon na tayong kampo diyan na dati pa [All of this are existing, we have camp bases there even before]," he said.
In February, Marcos granted US troops access to four additional Philippine military camps, in addition to the five already authorized under the EDCA.
The five are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga's Basa Air Base, Palawan's Antonio Bautista Air Base, Cebu's Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base, and Cagayan de Oro City's Lumbia Air Base.
The latest EDCA sites were determined in areas that were commonly hit by natural disasters such as typhoons, Marcos noted.
