The Philippines’ decision to grant the United States more access to its military bases is meant to boost defense capabilities, not to engage in war preparations, a top Philippine defense official said on Thursday.
Department of National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said the purpose of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) projects is to bolster Philippine military readiness against external threats.
“The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day. Our projects under EDCA and our other defense partnerships are not intended for aggression,” Galvez said, according to state-run media.
“We are not preparing for war; rather, we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security,” he added….