Philippines to speed up US defence pact for troops, bases
UPDATED 5 HOURS AGO
MANILA – The Philippines wants to accelerate a defence pact with the US for troops and bases that was earlier stalled, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr bolsters security ties with a treaty ally amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Mr Arsenio Andolong, spokesman for the Department of National Defence, said the South-east Asian nation is working with the United States to speed up projects under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which was shelved under former president Rodrigo Duterte.
First signed in 2014, the pact allows the US to rotate in troops for prolonged stays, as well as build and operate facilities on its bases.
“The department is committed to accelerate the implementation of the EDCA by concluding infrastructure enhancement and repair projects at existing EDCA sites,” Mr Andolong said.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/philippines-to-speed-up-us-defence-pact-for-troops-bases
