MANILA, Philippines — The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philip pines are not United States military bases, and thus are not targets for Iran’s retaliation, defense and security officials assured the public. The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philip pines (AFP) said EDCA sites are Philippine facilities, following Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s call for a review of EDCA and warning they could become targets in the widening conflict of the US, Israel and Iran. “Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. There are currently nine EDCA sites: Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija), Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Lumbia Air Base (Cagayan de Oro City), Naval Base Camilo Osias (Sta. “With regard to EDCA, it is essential to clarify that EDCA sites remain Philippine sovereign AFP instal lations.

Source: Philippine Star March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC