United States (US) Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Admiral Samuel Paparo is currently assessing the country’s security situation and is set to visit a Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, according to President Ferdinand Marcos.
During Paparo’s visit in Malacañang last Tuesday, the chief executive welcomed the visit of the US military official.
Paparo is in the country to attend the Annual Meeting of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).
“We have a great deal of, there are great many subjects that will be discussed, many decisions that we have to make for the United States and for the Philippines,” Marcos said.
“I understand that you were going to visit some sites and one of the EDCA sites so you will see the true situation on the ground,” he added.
As of press time, the Palace has yet to disclose the exact location of the EDCA site to be visited by Paparo.
However, last July, Marcos announced that the Balabac Military Runway, one of the four new EDCA sites, was almost complete and will play a crucial role in the country’s national security.
The three other new EDCA sites were the Naval Base Camilo Osias (Santa Ana., Cagayan); Lal-lo Airport (Cagayan); and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz (Gamu Isabela).
The five original EDCA sites, which were established since 2016 were the Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan); Basa Air Base (Pampanga); Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija); Lumbia Air Base (Cagayan de Oro); and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu).
Under EDCA, the US military will be able to preposition assets and build facilities within bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Marcos earlier said among the reasons why he agreed to the establishment of more EDCA sites in the country is the increasing aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea.
