Protests in the Philippines Against US Military Presence
Protests in the Philippines Against US Military Presence
Sputnik International
The United States is expected to announce that it will expand its access to military bases in the Philippines this week as part of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to Manila, a US broadcaster reported, citing US Defense Department officials.
Lloyd Austin has claimed that the US is not seeking any permanent basing for its military in the Philippines, preferring rotation instead."In terms of the EDCA [Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement] locations... we are not seeking permanent basing in the Philippines ... EDCA is a cooperative agreement that enables rotational activities, and so it is a key pillar of our training," Austin said at a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart.Meanwhile, some experts believe that the expansion of the US military presence in the Philippines is a direct challenge to Beijing as Washington seeks to encircle China.In response, citizens of the Philippines gathered on the streets to protest the expansion of their country's military cooperation with the United States. The Philippine Constitution forbids the permanent deployment of foreign troops in the country and their participation in local conflicts. But the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement gives US troops the right to rotate indefinitely at the Philippine bases and to keep weapons there, except for nuclear arms. As if this was not enough, in early February, the US and Philippine governments agreed to station US troops at four new military bases in the country.Explore Sputnik's photo gallery to find out more.
The United States is expected to announce that it will expand its access to military bases in the Philippines this week as part of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to Manila, a US broadcaster reported, citing US Defense Department officials.
Lloyd Austin has claimed that the US is not seeking any permanent basing for its military in the Philippines, preferring rotation instead.
"In terms of the EDCA [Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement] locations... we are not seeking permanent basing in the Philippines ... EDCA is a cooperative agreement that enables rotational activities, and so it is a key pillar of our training," Austin said at a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart.
Meanwhile, some experts believe that the expansion of the US military presence in the Philippines is a direct challenge to Beijing as Washington seeks to encircle China.
In response, citizens of the Philippines gathered on the streets to protest the expansion of their country's military cooperation with the United States. The Philippine Constitution forbids the permanent deployment of foreign troops in the country and their participation in local conflicts. But the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement gives US troops the right to rotate indefinitely at the Philippine bases and to keep weapons there, except for nuclear arms. As if this was not enough, in early February, the US and Philippine governments agreed to station US troops at four new military bases in the country.
Protesters burn a US flag during a rally in front of the military headquarters in Quezon City, suburban Manila on February 2, 2023, as US Secretary of Defense Llyod Austin and his Philippine counterpart Carlito Galves held a bilateral meeting.
Protesters hold anti-US placards during a rally outside Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Demonstrators hold banners as they protest against the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in front of the military headquarters in Quezon City, suburban Manila on February 2, 2023
(Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
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![Demonstrators protest against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the US and the Philippines, calling it "junk". (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/02/1106917599_0:0:3072:2048_600x0_80_0_1_79135bddbddf35815d90e80fb6b6db75.jpg "Demonstrators protest against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the US and the Philippines, calling it "junk". (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)")
