The Philippines and the United States (US) has signed Monday, April 28, a military deal that will give American troops larger presence in the country.
Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg signed the 10-year defense deal at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Officer’s Club in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is designed to promote interoperability, capacity building towards modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), strengthening of the AFP external defense, maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
In his speech, Goldberg gave assurance the US does not intend to set-up military bases in the Philippines and stressed that it will serve to update the security alliance to meet the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st century.
Goldberg added the new defense deal marks a new stage in PH-US relations, and celebrates the American administration’s rebalance to Asia.
Gazmin for his part said the deal reflects a maturing relationship between the two allies.
He added that EDCA is anchored on the principles encapsulated in the MDT and guided by the Visiting Forces Agreement. (DND)
