The Philippines will not allow “any offensive actions” from the bases it has opened to US troops, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.
The assurance comes as the Philippines and the United States kick off their biggest Balikatan military exercise today.
Manila last week announced the locations of four more military bases it is allowing the US military to use on top of the five agreed on under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, known as EDCA.But China warned last week the expanded military deal could endanger regional peace and accused Washington of a “zero-sum mentality.”
“We will not allow our bases to be used for any offensive actions. This is only aimed at helping the Philippines whenever we need help,” Marcos told reporters.The pact stalled under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who favored closer ties with China. Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said the preparations for the Balikatan exercises are made a year in advance and the troops are ready.
“It has always been an interoperability exercise to test our concepts for maritime defense, for coastal defense and maritime domain awareness,” Logico said. The new EDCA sites will be the 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.
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