Amid escalating US-Iran conflict, the Department of National Defense stated that Philippine EDCA sites are not targets of Iran and no review of the agreement is needed. DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong noted the hostilities are limited to the Middle East, with the Philippines uninvolved. This responds to Sen. Erwin Tulfo's call to review the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
On Monday, March 2, 2026, in Manila, Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong stated that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines are national facilities and not owned by the United States. "Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. They do not belong to the US, nor are they being used to launch or stage assaults against another country," he said. He added they are used for joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and national defense.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has clearly stated the sites will not be used for offensive action, according to the DND. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) emphasized they are not U.S. bases, but provide rotational access for interoperability, logistics prepositioning, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.
This addresses Sen. Erwin Tulfo's warning that EDCA sites could become targets amid Middle East hostilities. Andolong noted no credible direct threat exists to the Philippines, as Iran focuses on bordering countries.
Signed in 2014, EDCA allows U.S. troop rotations and facility construction in the Philippines without permanent basing. There are nine sites: Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Isabela; Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
The sites have faced controversy from progressive groups and some lawmakers, who argue they serve U.S. strategic interests, particularly regarding Taiwan. China has accused the Philippines of aligning with Washington's military aims in the South China Sea.
The conflict began Saturday with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, which retaliated with missiles and drones on U.S. bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. The Pentagon reported at least three U.S. service members killed and five wounded as of March 1. The DND will cooperate with any Senate inquiry.
