US Poised to Open Four Military Sites in Philippines: Report

[Boats]

US Poised to Open Four Military Sites in Philippines: Report
By: Joe Saballa - The Defense Post - 02-01-23
Re: https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/...s-philippines/

The US is poised to reach an agreement with the Philippines to open as many as four military sites to counter increasing threats from China.

The move is part of Washington’s efforts to expand its strategic footprint in the Asia Pacific as Beijing ramps up its military presence in the South China Sea.

Two of the proposed military facilities will be situated on the northern island of Luzon to give US forces a “strategic advantage” in case of a conflict in Taiwan or the South China Sea.

The sites would also facilitate cooperation on national security concerns and rapid disaster response, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Both countries have reportedly done extensive work over the past few months to evaluate military sites in the country.

An official announcement is expected this week as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Increased Military Cooperation

US-Philippines relations became strained when former President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to end the Visiting Forces Agreement that provided legal protections to the US military in Manila.

However, when Marcos was elected, he made it clear that the Southeast Asian nation needed to step up its military capabilities amid growing security threats.

Manila even canceled an agreement to purchase heavy-lift helicopters from Russia and considered buying their US counterpart.

Earlier this year, the allies vowed to strengthen defense cooperation and the transfer of technology to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Washington also agreed to host a “maritime dialogue” with its Asian partner this year to identify potential joint maritime activities.

Tags: Army Bases- featured - Philippines - United States - US Army
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Personal note: You ever get the feeling that things are warming up abit?
I'm sure PI is thrilled about that - but I get the impression that PI is
looking for a little security - not sure if we ever built another Air Force
Base - since the eruption some years back? We have two naval sites
but as far as air support not sure?
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