The USA introduced plans to broaden new navy websites within the Philippines underneath the Enhanced Protection Cooperation Settlement between the 2 nations, which went into impact on Feb. 1.
The 4 new websites are Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, mentioned Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, who briefed the media at this time.
The areas already within the settlement are Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay Army Reservation, Lumbia Air Base, Antonio Bautista Air Base and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.
“Along with the 5 current websites, these new areas will strengthen the interoperability of america and Philippine armed forces and permit us to reply extra seamlessly collectively to deal with a variety of shared challenges within the Indo-Pacific area, together with pure and humanitarian disasters,” Singh mentioned.
The websites will even present wonderful locations for joint and mixed coaching and can enhance regional readiness, she mentioned, including that U.S. forces at these websites can be rotational forces.
The Protection Division “will work in lockstep” with the Philippine Division of Nationwide Protection and armed forces to quickly pursue modernization tasks at these areas, she mentioned.
“The USA and the Philippines have stood collectively for greater than seven a long time, unwavering in treaty commitments and our shared imaginative and prescient for a extra peaceable, safe and affluent area,” she added.
In keeping with a press release from the State Division at this time, “U.S.-Philippine relations are primarily based on sturdy historic and cultural linkages and a shared dedication to democracy and human rights. The 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Protection Treaty offers a robust basis for our sturdy post-World Battle II safety partnership. Robust people-to-people ties, and financial cooperation present extra avenues to interact on a variety of bilateral, regional and world points.”