Not for offensive actions: Philippines plays down identification of joint bases with US

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — The Philippines on Monday said that Filipino military bases jointly run with US forces would not be used for "offensive actions."

"We will not allow our bases to be used for offensive actions. These will be used only to help the Philippines," said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., referring to four newly announced military bases to be used jointly with US troops under the two nations' 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

"If nobody attacks us, then they do not need to worry because we will not fight them. We're only continuing to defend our territory, our republic," Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of an event marking the country's Day of Valor at the Mount Samat National Shrine, according to the Rappler.com news website.

Under the EDCA with Washington, Manila identified four new locations earlier this month considered "suitable and mutually beneficial." These were the Camilo Osias Naval Base in the northeastern Sta Ana area in the Cagayan province, the Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in northeastern Gamu province, and Isabela and Balabac Island in the western Palawan province.

The announcement triggered a sharp reaction from China, which warned of "more tensions" in the region, urging neighboring countries to "make choices" favorable to "their own interests and regional stability."

"Facts are very clear that the US has been increasing its military deployment in the region driven by a zero-sum mentality in pursuit of selfish interests. This would only lead to more tensions and less peace and stability in the region," China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Manila's announcement.

The Philippines said its new arrangement with the US "are seen to boost the disaster response of the country as the locations will also be used for humanitarian and relief operations during emergencies and natural disasters."

Manila and Washington jointly run five bases under the EDCA, which allows the deployment of American soldiers in various parts of the Philippines.

The Philippines had agreed in January to allow the US military access to four more military bases in the country.

Washington has said the access to those new locations "will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges."