Manila: The President of the Philippines has given permission to the US military to open four more military bases in the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. authorized the US military to open four additional military bases under the Military Cooperation and Defense Cooperation Agreements.
In addition to the existing five military camps under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) established in 2014, the Philippine government allowed the US military to open new camps in February.
Al Jazeera reports that the Philippine government will only allow the US military to use the camps after Monday.
According to a statement released by the Communications Office of the President of the Philippines, the US military is allowed to establish base camps in provinces such as Isabela, Cagayan, Luzon Island near Taiwan and Palawan near the South China Sea.
The Philippine Army has issued a statement regarding the construction of the camp as “an appropriate and mutually beneficial project”. In addition, the Philippine Army has informed that the military camp can be used for charity and rescue operations during emergencies and disasters.
There are reports that Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines are afraid of China’s claims in the South China Sea and Taiwan and China’s interference in the said provinces. And there are arguments that China’s excessive interference in this trade-important route is intimidating to other countries in the region.
The Philippines has allowed the US military to open more base camps to reduce China’s presence and interference in the province.
Under EDCA, the two countries can also share defense systems.
Content Highlights:Philippines announces to build four bases to be used by US army