EDCA sites feared exposing Phl to war

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Erwin Tulfo is considering reviewing the presence of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the country amid fears that Iran may launch missile attacks on the Philippines as part of its retaliatory efforts against Israel and the United States (US).

US troops have been granted expanded military access to the Philippines through EDCA under the administration of President Marcos Jr. Signed in 2014, EDCA is a pact between the Philippines and the US that aims to deepen their defense cooperation under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

Tulfo acknowledged the urgent need to review EDCA sites in the Philippines to forestall the possibility of Iranian forces striking the country with drone and missile attacks.

The ongoing US-Israel war with Iran saw the deaths of Iran’s top leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Armed Forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.

He expressed concern that the Philippines could become a target of Iran’s reprisal attacks due to the expanded EDCA sites, citing Iran’s launch of retaliatory missiles across the Middle East, including in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan, which host US military bases, though most of the missiles were intercepted.

The deadly move was seen as a reprisal for the joint Israel-US military strikes against Iran.

9 sites so far

“With all these instances and events that are happening, where other countries are targeting American facilities, perhaps you’re right that we should review the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement because we might be targeted,” Tulfo said in Filipino during a radio interview on Sunday.

“It’s high time. Since I’m the chairman of foreign relations, I need to look into this and consult the Senate leadership on this issue,” added Tulfo, who took over the post last month from Senator Imee Marcos.

As of 2026, there are nine EDCA sites in the Philippines. Those located at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu were established as early as 2016.

Four more sites were added under the current administration: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan; Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac in Palawan.

Expanding the US military footprint in the Philippines through EDCA sites has fueled concerns about escalating tensions with China, among others, though Marcos has vowed he would not allow the facilities to be used for “offensive actions.”

EDCA sites are not US military bases, but allow American forces to use facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Marcos a ‘US puppet’

By allowing what he described as the “aggressive” and “unchecked” expansion of US troops in Philippine military bases, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte said the Marcos administration had effectively “painted bullseyes on Filipino soil.”

He said the continued presence of EDCA sites is a “grave national concern” that invites “retaliation, escalation, and entanglement in wars that are not ours.”

He also warned that this could turn Philippine communities, airports, and seaports into potential battlegrounds.

“In basic military doctrine, any territory made available to foreign forces automatically becomes a legitimate target,” Duterte said.