US cannot store arms in Philippines to defend Taiwan, Manila says in ‘friends to all’ policy

Washington has access to nine sites near the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea, under a military defence pact with Manila

China has criticised the deal, accusing the US of taking advantage of the bases to interfere in the situation across the Taiwan Strait to serve its ‘geopolitical goals’

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US soldier stands guard at a military base during live fire exercise during the US-Philippines Balikatan military drills. Photo: dpa

Published: 6:37pm, 19 Apr 2023Updated: 2:18pm, 20 Apr 2023

The Philippines has ruled out the United States stockpiling weapons that could be deployed to defend Taiwan on bases the security ally has access to under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Washington would not be permitted to conduct activities that were not stipulated in the 2014 deal.

“Our view is that EDCA is not aimed at any third country outside its meant-for use for the Philippines,” Manalo told a senate hearing on Wednesday.

US soldiers practice firing machine guns during the annual “Balikatan” US-Philippines joint military exercises. Photo: Reuters

He added the government’s key foreign policy was really to be “friends to all” and pledged the security agreement would reflect that position.

The minister also said Manila would not authorise US troops to refuel, repair and reload at EDCA sites, The Philippine Star reported.

Senator and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s sister Imee Marcos questioned the rationale behind the selection of the locations during the hearing.

The Philippines earlier this month said it would give the US access to four additional bases near the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea, bringing the number of military sites Washington could use in the country to nine.