Defense chief Teodoro starts visits to EDCA sites

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has started visiting the locations of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the DND said Teodoro first visited Calayan town in Cagayan on Wednesday, where he attended a town hall meeting with Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis and the Sangguniang Bayan.

The defense chief discussed matters in connection with security and collaboration between the local government and defense sector.

Teodoro also visited the headquarters of the 4th Marine “Makusug” Brigade of the Philippine Marine Corps at Camp Cape Bojeador in Ilocos Norte.

He had a discussion with the troops and participated in the traditional hollow block making activity for the brigade’s headquarters building.

According to the DND, Teodoro is set to visit other EDCA sites and military bases.

Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, allows them to build facilities, and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels.

The Philippines and the US in February agreed to designate four new sites in strategic areas of the country with the aim of accelerating the full implementation of the EDCA.

These will be established in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

In April, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba opposed this as he expressed fear that the area could become a "magnet" for attacks by US adversaries.

Before this, there were five existing EDCA sites: Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News