The United States will soon deploy its sophisticated assets and equipment in strategic areas in the country under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement it has firmed up with the Philippine government.
This was disclosed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at the formal turnover ceremonies for the 114 units of amphibious armored personnel carriers from the US military.
Gazmin said the US was looking at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro City, Basa Air Base in Pampanga and other military bases in Cebu, as stations for its military forces and modern aircraft.
Gazmin expressed optimism that the areas would serve as temporary bases of visiting US forces.
The most strategic location for the US appeared to be Palawan which is fronting the West Philippine Sea.
Last month, the Supreme Court declared the Edca as constitutional at a time China is aggressively asserting its territorial rights in WPS.
Recently, China made a maiden landing of three civilian planes in the Fiery Cross Reef, an island lying within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines, provoking reactions from the United States and Australia.
Edca is mandated to host a sizable number of US military forces along with their state-of-the-art assets and equipment on a bigger scale and increased frequency of visits in selected bases in strategic locations in the country.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Edgar Gonzales, commander of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division, said part of the 114 APCs will be reconfigured for use in territorial defense.
