Amid rising US-China tensions, Philippines says it’s ‘committed’ to speeding up US defence pact projects
- The US-Philippines Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, first signed in 2014, was shelved under former President Rodrigo Duterte
- But Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s defence department says it’s committed to bolstering security ties to ‘build a more credible mutual defence posture’
First signed in 2014, the EDCA pact allows the US to rotate in troops for prolonged stays as well as build and operate facilities on its bases.
“The department is committed to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA by concluding infrastructure enhancement and repair projects at existing EDCA sites,” Andolong said.
This includes “developing new infrastructure projects at existing EDCA locations, and exploring new locations that will build a more credible mutual defence posture,” he added.
The renewed discussions over the security pact follow worsening ties between the US and China, two countries on which the Philippines is trying to balance with given the latter remains a major trading partner.
Push for closer US-Philippines ties risks Chinese backlash for Manila
While the move appears to bring it closer to the US on the security front, officials have continued to warn the region should not be made to choose sides between the two.
Andolong said that US$65.5 million has been earmarked for approved projects under the agreement thus far and they are slated to be implemented in the next two years.
The Philippines and the US have also maintained talks over how to implement its 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty to “ensure that it remains relevant to address contemporary security challenges,” he said.
