US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent visit to the Philippines is quite contentious as both Washington and Manila announced the establishment of a US military base in four new locations in this South Asian country.
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin at the Department of National Defense Camp Aguinaldo military camp in Quezon City, Metro Manila
This step is taken by US in a recent growing tension between China and Taiwan (China claims Taiwan as its own territory).
The deal between the US and its South Asian ally comes as they counter the Chinese military aggression in that region especially South China Sea and Taiwan.
The Philippines’ current President Marcos also supported the relationship with the US.
United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday promised to help the Philippines modernize its defense capabilities as well as increase the interoperability of American and Filipino military forces.
READ: https://t.co/YDC32TTGxQ pic.twitter.com/PTfKhWGMez
— Presidential Communications Office (@pcogovph) February 2, 2023
Strategic Locations in the Philippines Where US Military Base Will Establish
After 30 years the US is now increasing its military presence in the Philippines. The US, who withdrew its military presence in this South Asian region in 1991.
Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin announced a deal on Thursday in which the US military gives access to four more bases in the region, bringing the total to nine.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with Philippines defense secretary Cartilo Galvez Jr.
Philippines defense secretary Cartilo Galvez Jr. declined to mention the name of the four locations where the US military base will establish.
The US strategically wants Philippines northern region for its military exercise. Because the northern region is close to Taiwan especially the land mass Luzon, to counter China in the event that it attacks Taiwan.
In November Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro of the Philippines said “that Washington had identified five possible sites, including two in Cagayan, one in Palawan, one in Zambales, and one in Isabela. Cagayan and Isabela are in the northern part of the Philippines, with Cagayan sitting across from Taiwan.”
Philippines strategic locations where the US base will establish
In a news conference the U.S. defence secretary Lloyd J.Austin III said that “This is an opportunity to increase our effectiveness, increase interoperability,” he said during a trip to Manila that began on Tuesday. “It is not about permanent basing, but it is a big deal. It’s a really big deal.”
.@SecDef: I’m proud of the work that we’ve done together, and I’m optimistic about the future of our alliance. pic.twitter.com/oDU7yPUHZV
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) February 2, 2023
.@SecDef: I’m pleased to announce today that President Marcos has approved 4 new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement locations, bringing the total number of these sites to 9. EDCA allows our forces to operate together more efficiently from key sites across the Philippines. pic.twitter.com/5MnVI0VFDN
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) February 2, 2023
.@SecDef: This was the fourth discussion I’ve had with Department of National Defense leaders since the start of the Marcos administration, underscoring that America’s commitment to the defense of the Philippines is ironclad. pic.twitter.com/xPYZP7rFqO
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) February 2, 2023
Our alliance with the Philippines remains ironclad. We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together. (5/5) https://t.co/XDWsoLm4QL
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) February 2, 2023
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Philippines Activists and Ex-President are Against the US Military Expansion
Ex-President of Philippines Rodrigo Duterte
EX-President Rodrigo Duterte was against the military expansion of the US in the country.
Rodrigo threatened to end both the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows for the joint military exercise between the two countries.
And second Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, which is the basis for today’s deal military cooperation between the two nations.
Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the Nationalist Activist political group Bayan said “Filipinos must not allow our country to be used as staging ground for any U.S. military intervention in the region.”
Philippines Activist Renato Reyes
“Allowing U.S. use of our facilities will drag us into this conflict, which is not aligned with our national interests.”
The US defense secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to this South Asian region has a geopolitical impact on the South China sea.
As rising tension between China and Taiwan is continuously growing, the settlement of the US bases in the Philippines probably escalates the tension more.