The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raised the possibility of establishing additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the future to enable a “360-degree protection” of the country. ManilaBulletin
The Armed Forces of the Philippines raised the possibility of establishing additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the future to enable a “360-degree protection” of the country.
Building more EDCA sites will help the troops secure the Philippine’s maritime territory which will also allow the people to enjoy its resources, according to Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson. These are located at the 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.However, if the AFP will decide to add more EDCA sites on top of the nine finished and proposed locations, Aguilar admitted that they will need a big budget to make it happen.
“We would need a big budget because we will have to strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force since they are the first screening forces outside [our country]. They see the enemies even from afar. We also need to strengthen the Philippine Army to deter enemies that will penetrate our land,” he said.
“If we are to get candid in assessing the reaction of Chinese officials, they were irritated because of what happened. The Philippines and China agreed in January to deepen their relationship but why is the EDCA expansion happening?” Banlaoi said.
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