Fears of retaliatory attacks on EDCA sites unfounded, says Defense chief
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on March 3, 2026 tags as unfounded concerns that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites around the country are potential targets for Iran’s retaliatory attacks because the Philippines is a military ally of the United States. The United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28 which triggered Tehran to strike back and attack American bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There are nine EDCA sites in the Philippines -- the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan. Teodoro echoed the earlier statement of the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the military installations are not US-controlled bases and remain under the full ownership, control and management of the Philippine military.
VIDEO BY KRISTINA MARALIT
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