Thread: Marcos says new military bases with US to be "scattered" around the Philippines

MANILA (Reuters) - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday four new military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States would be located in various parts of the Philippines, including in a province facing the South China Sea.


Last month, Marcos granted the United States access to four sites, on top of five existing locations under the 2014 EDCA, which comes amid China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards self-ruled Taiwan.


"There are four extra sites scattered around the Philippines - there are some in the north, there are some around Palawan, there are some further south," Marcos told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine army's founding anniversary.


EDCA allows U.S. access to Philippine bases for joint training, pre-positioning of equipment and building of facilities such as runways, fuel storage and military housing, but it is not a permanent presence.


The Philippines and the United States would announce the locations of the bases soon, Marcos said, adding the sites would boost the country's ability to defend the "eastern side" of its largest island, Luzon. Luzon is the closest main Philippine island to Taiwan.


A former Philippine military chief has publicly said the United States had asked for access to bases in Isabela, Zambales and Cagayan, all on the island of Luzon, facing north towards Taiwan, and on Palawan in the southwest, near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.


Some leaders of local governments at the potential EDCA sites have opposed Marcos' decision, worried they would be dragged into a conflict if one arose between the United States and China over Taiwan.


But Marcos said his government has discussed with them the importance of the expanded U.S. access and "why it will actually be good for their provinces."


Washington has committed $80 million worth of infrastructure investments at the five existing sites - the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Mindanao.


Speaking before Philippine troops, Marcos told them to be vigilant as the external threat to his country's security was becoming more "complex" and "unpredictable."


"Be vigilant against elements that will undermine our hard earned peace, our hard earned stability, continue to improve relations with your counterparts overseas," Marcos said.


Without giving specifics, Marcos said he was aware of an "emerging threat" to his country's territory, which he said would require "adjustments in our strategy."


"The external security environment is becoming more complex. It is becoming more unpredictable," Marcos said.


Marcos says new military bases with US to be "scattered" around the Philippines

God, if the Philippines ever went over to the other side, there would be a massive shit fit.

Originally Posted by Bonecollector

God, if the Philippines ever went over to the other side, there would be a massive shit fit.

Why would it do that when it has a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea and has regular harassment by them? It would become a vassal state overnight.

^ I agree with BLD's assessment of the US bases pull-out in the early 90s. I was still young then and not interested in politics, so I don't know much about it. However, I think Davis Knowlton also had a similar opinion. PH govt was asking a lot of money for the renewal of the lease. Mt Pinatubo erupted and Clark Airbase was ruined. China had just reopened to the west and wasn't flexing its muscles then.

The previous Du30 admin was very pro China and anti US. This new president, Marcos Jr, is weighing his choices. Also, the US govt gave asylum to him & his family in 1986 when the Marcos family were ousted from office. They stayed in Hawaii for a few years. I can't remember when the Marcos family went back to PH and restarted their political career. Now, the Marcos children are politicians (Marcos Jr is president, his sister Imee is a senator), as well as the grandchildren (one is a governor, another is a congressman). Circle of life... Heh...

Originally Posted by katie23

I can't remember when the Marcos family went back to PH and restarted their political career.

After Ferdinand Marcos's 1989 death, the remaining members of the family were allowed to return to the Philippines to face various corruption charges in 1992.

However, they were able to return to political power that same year, to the dismay of many Filipino people, with the election of Bongbong Marcos as congressman for the second district of Ilocos Norte.

Originally Posted by katie23

However, I think Davis Knowlton also had a similar opinion.

He does as do I and most all Vietnam vets. In fact I would vote to give the PI statehood.

A strong dependable ally since WW2.

Great nation, good people!

Originally Posted by Norton

PI statehood.

That is an interesting angle, is that even possible or one day probable?

Originally Posted by Bonecollector

That is an interesting angle, is that even possible or one day probable?

Not really hence the smile.

^heh. Not gonna happen, Mr. Norton. (I knew you were kidding.)

Even if such a move was approved by the US govt/ legislation, it wouldn't gain approval in the PH govt or among the people. Maybe in the 1950s (post WW2), such a move may have been welcomed. But now, no. Filipinos love being an independent country/ people. Even if it's effed up in many ways, it's our own eff-up and not as a colony or state of another nation.

The majority voted Duterte in 2016 and Marcos Jr in 2022. That's majority rule and (our) democracy. For better or worse - it was the people's decision. (I didn't vote for those 2, but I accept the will of the ppl.)

Originally Posted by Norton

He does as do I and most all Vietnam vets. In fact I would vote to give the PI statehood.

A strong dependable ally since WW2.

Great nation, good people!

Gotta agree.

Originally Posted by katie23

^heh. Not gonna happen, Mr. Norton. (I knew you were kidding.)

Even if such a move was approved by the US govt/ legislation, it wouldn't gain approval in the PH govt or among the people. Maybe in the 1950s (post WW2), such a move may have been welcomed. But now, no. Filipinos love being an independent country/ people. Even if it's effed up in many ways, it's our own eff-up and not as a colony or state of another nation.

The majority voted Duterte in 2016 and Marcos Jr in 2022. That's majority rule and (our) democracy. For better or worse - it was the people's decision. (I didn't vote for those 2, but I accept the will of the ppl.)

It's a damn shame that the Philippines ���� was once considered to be the richest country I south East Asia then slid into decline, I'm sure it will eventually bounce back. The Filipinos are , resilient,hard working ,English speaking, educated, and informed . Due to the fact the Filipino diaspora is everywhere.my favourite country and people. But don't tell the wife I said that

Originally Posted by katie23

Even if it's effed up in many ways, it's our own eff-up and not as a colony or state of another nation.

No different than most nations Ms Katie. All are effed up in certain ways. The effed up bits in the PI for me are easily ignored and have done things to make them less effed in the past.

Philippines announces four more military bases US troops can use

The Philippines announced Monday the location of four additional military bases to be used by US troops, with one site near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan.


The longtime treaty allies agreed in February to expand cooperation in “strategic areas” of the country as they seek to counter China’s growing assertiveness over self-governed Taiwan and its building of bases in the South China Sea.


The 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, known as EDCA, gave US forces access to five bases in the Philippines.


It was expanded to nine, but the locations of the four additional bases were withheld until Monday while the government consulted with local officials.


The four sites had been assessed by the Philippine military and deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial”, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.


It added that the bases would also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during disasters.


A US official confirmed that the locations announced by the palace were the new EDCA sites.


Three of the sites are in the northern Philippines, including a naval base and airport in Cagayan province and an army camp in the neighbouring province of Isabela, the statement said.


The naval base at Cagayan province’s Santa Ana is about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Taiwan.


Another site will be on Balabac Island, off the southern tip of Palawan Island, near the South China Sea.


Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba has publicly opposed having EDCA sites in his province for fear of jeopardising Chinese investment and becoming a target in a conflict over Taiwan.


But Philippine acting defence chief Carlito Galvez told reporters recently the government had “already decided” on the sites and that Mamba had agreed to “abide with the decision”.


The agreement allows US troops to rotate through the bases and also store defence equipment and supplies at them.


The pact stalled under former president Rodrigo Duterte, who favoured China over the country’s former colonial master.


But President Ferdinand Marcos, who succeeded Duterte last June, has adopted a more US-friendly foreign policy and has sought to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA.


Beijing has been critical of the agreement, which its embassy in the Philippines said recently was part of “US efforts to encircle and contain China through its military alliance with this country”.


The Chinese embassy in Philippines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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