“The Philippines has been at the receiving end of Chinese aggressive maneuvers that continue to violate territorial rights and destroy marine resources in our exclusive economic zone”
The EDCA is designed to promote: Interoperability; Capacity building towards AFP modernization; Strengthening the AFP for external defense; Maritime security; Maritime domain awareness; and Humanitarian assistance and disaster response – all of which are very critical, given the geopolitical complications confronting the Indo-Pacific region.
Austin committed to “swiftly finalizing” the Philippines-US Bilateral Defense Guidelines, which outlines alliance cooperation across all operational domains, including addressing threats in space and cyberspace. Priority defense platforms will include military transport aircraft, coastal and air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, and radars.
Beijing has expectedly objected to these developments with its Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian accusing the Philippines of “stoking the fire” by expanding US access to Philippine military bases which may be used to interfere in China’s problem with Taiwan and anti-China agenda despite President Marcos Jr.’s statement that EDCA sites cannot be used for offensive military operations for as long as the Philippines is not attacked.