Philippines hits out at criticism of expanded US bases: ‘not any other countries’ business’

Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro says no nation has the right to question EDCA sites, which are US-managed military bases in the Philippines

Beijing previously said Manila was ‘stoking the fire’ of regional tension in the resource-rich South China Sea, by expanding the sites

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Filipino soldiers stand guard next to US aircraft in Cagayan, Philippines. Beijing’s maritime aggression in the South China Sea has prompted Manila to deepen ties with Washington. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:30pm, 4 Aug 2023Updated: 7:13pm, 4 Aug 2023

The Philippines has hit out at criticism of its decision to expand the number of US-managed military bases in the country, saying no party has the right to interfere in Manila’s national interest.

Under the 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in April gave the United States access to four additional sites near the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea, bringing the number of military installations Washington can use in the archipelago to nine.

EDCA allows the US to rotate in troops for prolonged stays, as well as build and operate facilities on its bases.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro speaks to US military personnel during a tour at a newly built military base in Lal-lo, Cagayan province, northern Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE

Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said all countries in the world built bases, and the Philippines “do not question” the bases being constructed by other nations, except when they were being built on contested territory.

“This is Philippine territory, and it is our business what we do here just as long as it is for Philippine interest,” said Teodoro, who was appointed as defence chief in June. “Here, the United States and we converge in our intended use for this, and it is not any other countries’ business to question what we do here.”

China has said the move was “stoking the fire” of regional tension.

Beijing’s maritime aggression in the resource-rich waterway has also prompted Manila to deepen ties with the US, its long-time security ally, with both sides conducting joint military drills in recent months.

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