Anticipating China's Claims, Philippines Enlarges United States Access to Its Military Bases

JAKARTA - The Philippines has given the United States greater access to its military bases, the country's defence chief said, amid growing concerns over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, as well as tensions over Taiwan.

The United States will be given access to four more locations under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said in a joint press conference at the Philippine military headquarters in Manila.

Minister Austin is in the Philippines for talks, as the United States seeks to expand its security options as part of efforts to deter China's action against self-governing Taiwan, reaffirming the two countries' commitment to strengthening their alliance.

"Our alliance makes our two democracies safer and helps establish a free and open Indo-Pacific", Minister Austin said.

"We discussed concrete actions to address destabilizing activities in the waters around the Philippines, including the West Philippine Sea, and we remain committed to strengthening our joint capabilities to counter armed attacks", he continued.

"It's just part of our efforts to modernize our alliance. And these efforts are very important, as the People's Republic of China continues to advance its illegitimate claims in the West Philippine Sea", Minister Austin said.

Previously, Minister Austin met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and convinced him of Washington's support.

"We stand ready to assist you in any way we can", Minister Austin said.

It is known that relations between Washington and Manila soured under the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte, who made overtures to China, known for his anti-US rhetoric and threatening to degrade the two countries' military ties.

"I've always said, I think, the future of the Philippines and in this case, Asia-Pacific must always involve the United States", said President Marcos Jr. to Austin.

Additional sites under the EDCA mean the United States can now access nine Philippine military bases. Washington has allocated more than $82 million for infrastructure at existing sites.

EDCA allows US access to Philippine military bases for joint training, equipment pre-deployment and construction of facilities such as runways, and fuel storage to military housing, but not for permanent presence.

Ministers Austin and Galvez did not specify which sites would be opened to US access. The former Philippine military chief said the United States had requested access to bases on the main northern island of Luzon, the Philippines' closest part to Taiwan, and on Palawan in the southwest, near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.