MANILA – Intended under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, new military sites allow U.S. and Philippine forces to enhance strategic effectiveness and work on improvement projects. Signed in 2014, EDCA initially established six sites, and four more were added in 2023. The agreement permits the U.S. to fund infrastructure improvements, and rotationally deploy troops.
The mutual defense treaty between the U.S. and Philippines established EDCA sites to support training, exercises, and interoperability between the two militaries. EDCA sites are not U.S. bases, and the Philippines maintains control.
More than $100 million in U.S. funding has supported improvement projects for the Philippines Armed Forces. During the Balikatan exercise series, the new EDCA sites were utilized strategically for operations related to territorial defense. Three sites were used during the series, targeting areas crucial to Philippines’ territorial defense from external aggression.
La-Lo airport in Luzon, Balabac Island in Palawan, and Naval Base Camilo Osias were among the new sites utilized. Balikatan exercises involved air assault missions, delivery of vital assets, and medical command posts. EDCA sites continue to advance combined training efforts, with Fort Magsaysay a central location for Balikatan, hosting added training enhancements.
Additionally, the forthcoming Salaknib exercise will see a deployment of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Exportable to Fort Magsaysay, a first west of the international date line. Gen. Charles Flynn highlighted the assistance provided to the Philippine army for developing their own training centers. The event will involve the 25th Infantry Division and will focus on validating brigade combat teams. The Army continues to enhance range facilities at EDCA sites to support training operations.
