Sites for EDCA to be discussed in October

MANILA, Philippines -  The Mutual Defense Board (MDB), composed of security officials from the Philippines and the United States, will discuss in October the sites of the American facilities to be built under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said the selection of sites for the US structures would undergo discussions.

“The next Mutual Defense Board meeting is in October,” Bautista, who serves as co-chairman of the board, told reporters Friday in Camp Aguinaldo.

“There is a process to determine what bases will be offered and there is also an approval process. That will be discussed by the MDB,” he added.

Headed by the AFP chief and the commander of the US Pacific Command, MDB allows the Philippines and the US to consult each other on common military concerns.

“There is nothing definite yet until the MDB (meet) happens,” Bautista said.

“I cannot say that there will be a list (of agreed sites) already by October,” he added.

EDCA was signed by the Philippines and the US on April 28 and provides American forces greater access to the country’s military installations.

Implementing details of the deal, including the sites that will host the US facilities, will be contained in annexes to be crafted by the negotiating panels of the two countries. Officials have vowed to complete the annexes as soon as possible.

Earlier, Bautista said he wants to offer Naval Station San Miguel in Zambales, Oyster Bay in Palawan, and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija so they could undergo developments and improvements.

He said improving these bases would enable them to accommodate more military assets.

The military chief, however, clarified that it’s not for him to decide which bases will be opened to the US troops.

Naval Station San Miguel is a former US military facility located in San Antonio, Zambales. It is located 134 nautical miles from the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, an area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that has been occupied by Chinese vessels since 2012.

The naval station is now home to the Philippine Navy’s Naval Education and Training Command.

Oyster Bay, meanwhile, is located beside Ulugan Bay in Puerto Princesa City and is facing the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The government has allocated P500 million to develop the Ulugan Bay base, including P313 million to improve the pier, harbor, and support facilities at Oyster Bay.

Also being considered is the 44,000-hectare Fort Magsaysay, the largest military camp in the country. The camp hosts the Army’s Special Operations Command and the 7th Infantry Division. – with Ronald Mendoza