(Interaksyon) MANILA— A decision by the Philippines to grant the United States greater access to its military bases was “not for engaging in war” but meant to enhance its ability to defend itself against external threats, its defense chief said on Thursday.
“The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day,” Carlito Galvez, office-in-charge of the defense ministry, said in a statement.
“We are not preparing for war, rather we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security,” he added.
His statement came a day after some senators and a provincial governor raised concerns and opposition to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s decision to give the United States access to four more sites, on top of five locations under a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA… Read More
