By Christine Fabro
Malacañang on Monday, April 4, announced four more “suitable and mutually beneficial” locations for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the country.
The four locations inspected and assessed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) include 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.
In a release, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the additional sites are “seen to boost the disaster response of the country.”
These locations will also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters.
According to PCO, while the four extra sites will be scattered across the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed that these sites will defend the eastern coast, taking into consideration the Philippines’ continental shelf on Luzon’s eastern side.
Department of National Defense (DND) Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong earlier said that these EDCA sites will not become American military bases, but will also be used as storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics. –ag