Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177243216276620230202-austin-visit-protest-MT-7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Protesters from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan hold a rally against the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in front of Camp Aguinaldo on EDSA in Quezon City on February 2, 2023. The group called for the abolition of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Part of Austin&#x27;s agenda is to negotiate the increased presence of troops in the Philippines as a deterrence to the regional conflict with China. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The National Security Council (NSC), Department of National Defense (DND), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday issued a unified position, assuring the public that there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory or to Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites despite escalating hostilities in the Middle East.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/23/us-eyes-investing-100-m-for-infra-in-9-edca-sites">READ: US expects to invest $100 million for infrastructure in 9 EDCA sites</a></div><p>NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Cornelio Valencia stressed that there are no American military bases in the country, clarifying that EDCA sites are Philippine military installations under the full ownership, control, and management of the AFP.</p><p>Valencia said the NSC, in coordination with the DND and AFP, continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East, noting that tensions remain confined to the region.</p><p>&quot;There is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory, including our military facilities,&quot; Valencia said in a statement.</p><p>The DND also dismissed claims that EDCA sites could become targets amid conflict in the Middle East.</p><p>DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong was responding to calls by Senator Erwin Tulfo for a review of the EDCA, citing concerns that Philippine facilities may be exposed to security risks as conflict intensifies abroad.</p><p>&quot;The DND respects the oversight role of the Philippine Senate, and we will always cooperate with them,&quot; Andolong said.</p><p>He continued: &quot;It must be stated, however, that the hostilities are confined to the Middle East. The Philippines is not a participant in the theater of conflict.&quot;</p><p>Andolong noted that recent attacks by Iran were directed at US facilities in countries which it shares maritime or land borders with—conditions that do not apply to the Philippines.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/2/pnp-on-heightened-alert-amid-middle-east-tensions-1056">READ: PNP on heightened alert amid Middle East tensions</a></div><p>&quot;The Philippines poses no threat to Iran,&quot; he said. &quot;Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. They do not belong to the United States, nor are they being used to launch or stage assaults against another country.&quot;</p><p>The official stressed that EDCA sites are intended solely for joint military training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and for the defense and security of the Philippines.</p><p>He added that these facilities play a vital role in strengthening the capacity and capability of the AFP.</p><p>He also reiterated the position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has repeatedly emphasized that EDCA sites &quot;will not be used for offensive action.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The EDCA contributes to our preparedness and self-defense, not to aggression,&quot; Andolong said. &quot;It remains an important component of our national security framework.&quot;</p><p>Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla reiterated that access granted to US forces under EDCA is rotational and limited to activities such as joint training, logistics prepositioning, and HADR.</p><p>Padilla emphasized that these arrangements enhance the country&#x27;s defensive readiness and do not diminish national security.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/2/no-mandatory-repatriation-yet-but-gov-t-preparing-to-assist-ofws-wanting-to-come-home-1347">READ: No mandatory repatriation yet but gov&#x27;t preparing to assist OFWs wanting to come home</a></div><p>&quot;It is also worth noting that the Philippines&#x27; strategic relevance in the region is shaped by geography—particularly in the context of developments in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait—regardless of EDCA,&quot; the official said.</p><p>&quot;Strengthening alliances and improving our defense posture does not create vulnerability; it contributes to deterrence, preparedness, and stability,&quot; she added.</p><p>The NSC, DND and AFP urged the public to remain calm, rely on verified information, and be vigilant against disinformation, stressing that security issues require calm assessment rather than speculation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable fr-active" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PDQWi194lwE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yb9d9HhIq9c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwGUhZpx_tM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>According to the Department of National Defense, there is no credible direct threat to the country or to any facilities within Philippine territory.</p>

According to the Department of National Defense, there is no credible direct threat to the country or to any facilities within Philippine territory.

No credible threat to EDCA sites in PH despite Middle East conflict—DND

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No credible threat to EDCA sites in PH despite Middle East conflict—DND

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 02, 2026 02:17 PM PHT

|

Updated March 02, 2026 03:06 PM PHT

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Philippines

Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement

EDCA

United States

Israel

Iran

conflict

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