US to spend $66m on new facilities at Philippines military bases
Philippine authorities said their US defence ally has agreed to spend $66.5m to build training and warehouse facilities at three of its military bases, Reuters reports
The Philippine Department of Defence said in a statement that the construction of the facilities is expected under the Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States and will begin next year.
“The Department is committed to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA by concluding infrastructure enhancement and repair projects,” the statement reads.
The Philippines has long been a staunch US ally and the EDCA is widely seen as important for both sides.
Reuters notes that the two countries have signed a 70-year Mutual Defence Treaty and take part in dozens of joint exercises every year, ranging from live fire and amphibious assaults to humanitarian missions and counter-terrorism drills.
The EDCA enables the United States to maintain a military presence in its former colony by rotating ships and aircraft for humanitarian and maritime security operations.
Philippine Commander-in-Chief Bartolome Bacarro also said that the United States had proposed including five more military bases in the EDCA, but that would be subject to approval by the defence and foreign ministries.
