Philippines offers eight bases to US under new military deal
Date
1/13/2016 8:37:19 AM
(MENAFN- Asia Times) EDC agreement allows American troops to pre-position defense assets in Philippine bases
Last year the Philippines and United States signed the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) granting Washington increased military presence in its former colony rotating ships and planes for humanitarian and maritime security operations.
“The list has been prepared many months ago when we had earlier discussions” Colonel Restituto Padilla told reporters saying five military airfields two naval bases and a jungle training camp were offered to the United States.
“These are still subject for approval and we’re going to hold final discussions about these areas.”
Three of these bases are on the main island of Luzon in the northern Philippines including Clark airfield a former U.S. air force base and two are on the western island of Palawan near the South China Sea.
On Tuesday the Philippines Supreme Court declared the security deal with the US constitutional as dozens of anti-U.S. activists held protests outside the court denouncing it saying itwould make the Philippines 'a launching pad for military intervention in the region.'
The court voted 10-4 to deny a petition of some lawmakers and activists to declare the EDCA unconstitutional because it surrendered Philippine sovereignty to a foreign power.
In Washington U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called it a 'very important decision' as he and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter began talks with their Philippine counterparts on security and economic issues including tensions in the South China Sea and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
China’s official Xinhua news agency in an English-language commentary said the EDCA would only escalate tension and “could push the situation to the brink of war”.
“The deal is groundless because China which sticks to a defensive defense policy has never coerced any country on the South China Sea issue” it said.
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