The initial result of the country’s review of its mutual defense agreement with the US is expected to come out by early next year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. revealed on Thursday.
The President confirmed that the review was among the topics he discussed with US Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit in the country last month.
“There have been many requests and proposals from the Americans, especially under Edca [Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement]. So all of that is under study now to see what is really feasible and what will be the most useful for the defense of Philippine territory,” the President told reporters in an interview in Quezon City on Thursday.
He noted among the provisions of the defense agreement, which they are rationalizing, are joint exercises, and use of the country’s bases by US forces through Edca.
“So all of that is under study now to see what is really feasible and what will be the most useful for the defense of Philippine territory,” the President emphasized.
“I think, by early next year, we will have something more concrete to tell you,” he added.
Last year, the administration of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked the US government for additional compensation so the country will retain Edca and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
VFA is a two-decade military agreement, which allows the US government to temporarily deploy its military forces in the country.
Meanwhile, Edca is a supplemental accord to VFA, which allows US military to build and operate bases in the country, which could be used by American and Filipino troops.