According to information published by the PACOM on April 7, 2023, the US plans to expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA) to include four new sites: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
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Naval base Camilo Osias. (Picture source: Rescue recon)
The naming of these locations follows a February 2023 announcement in which the United States and the Philippines committed to designate four new EDCA sites in strategic areas of the Philippines.
US - Philippines relations
The relationship between the United States and the Philippines is considered to be special, and the two nations have historically maintained strong ties. However, the former Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, favored a foreign policy that was less dependent on the United States and instead prioritized closer relations with China and Russia.
Despite this, both countries have a mutual defense treaty dating back to 1951, and as of 2019, they are actively working on the implementation of an enhanced defense cooperation agreement concluded in 2014.
The relationship has had its ups and downs, particularly regarding the issue of U.S. military presence in the Philippines. The 1947 Military Bases Agreement gave the United States a 99-year lease on a number of Philippine military and naval bases, but the bases agreement was later reduced and ultimately terminated in 1992.
In 2014, a ten-year pact called the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed between the two countries, allowing the U.S. to increase military presence in the Philippines.
The deal includes shared access to Philippine military facilities, and it aims to increase maritime domain awareness, build up the capacities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and counter-terrorism.
In February 2019, the U.S. Secretary of State affirmed the U.S.'s commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which states that any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft, or public vessels will trigger mutual defense obligations.
