The Philippines would allow U.S. forces access to its military bases during a Taiwan conflict if it was deemed “important” to Philippine security, its ambassador to the United States said on Monday.
Philippine envoy Jose Manuel Romualdez said the two countries have begun talks to increase the number of Philippine military bases accessible to U.S. troops, which may include a naval base. But details have been decided yet.
“Our military and the military of the United States are all looking into what are the possible areas,” Romualdez said in an interview with Nikkei Asia.
Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in 2014, U.S. troops are allowed to construct facilities and preposition aircraft and vessels on five Philippine military bases….