Will Philippines help US in another Middle East conflict?
Advertisement
The issue came up at a press briefing conducted by the Philippine military on Tuesday, where officials were asked if facilities designated under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) could be used to support US operations against Iran.
Following multiple attacks from
Israel and Iran against each other earlier this month, the US joined its Israeli ally by attacking three nuclear facilities in Iran on Sunday. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missiles targeting US forces at an air base in Qatar on Monday.
EDCA, along with the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, grants US forces rotational access to select Philippine military bases, where they preposition fuel, ammunition and other equipment. These arrangements operate alongside the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT), which commits both countries to act in the event of an armed attack on either party in the Pacific.
Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, spokeswoman for the Philippine military, declined to confirm whether those facilities could be used in the current conflict, saying only: 'We do not want to hone in on the role of the armed forces. At this point in time, we are prepared for any contingencies.'
Advertisement
The Philippine military's current priority was 'to make sure that our countrymen will come home safe', she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Philippines and Malaysia sidestep South China Sea claims, seek closer naval ties
The heads of the Philippine and Malaysian navies have pledged to deepen maritime cooperation, reflecting growing trust between both sides and mutual concerns over regional security despite their overlapping claims in the South China Sea Admiral Tansri Zulhelmy Bin Ithnain, chief of Malaysia's Royal Navy, met with vice-admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, during a courtesy call in Manila on Wednesday. He also held talks with the Philippine military chief, General Romeo Brawner Jnr. The visit 'reaffirmed the strong and enduring ties' between the two countries' naval forces, according to a Philippine Navy's statement, which said both sides had exchanged views on joint maritime operations, regional security and naval modernisation. The navies committed to enhance maritime cooperation and discussed future training and capability development efforts. They also highlighted the coming 19th Asean meeting of navy chiefs – to be hosted by Malaysia in August – as a key platform to advance collaboration. 'This engagement underscores the Philippine Navy's continued commitment to building strong defence partnerships, advancing regional cooperation, and promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region,' the statement said. The renewed push for naval collaboration comes as both countries face overlapping maritime claims in parts of the South China Sea, even as China's growing assertiveness in the disputed waterways has fuelled regional unease.
The Standard
a day ago
- The Standard
Hong Kong cultural icon Chua Lam passes away at 83
Trump claims ceasefire between Iran and Israel after Iran's missile attack on US base in Qatar
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
China warns Philippines against ‘self-inflicted destruction' by hosting US missile systems
China's Defence Ministry has warned the Philippines against 'self-inflicted destruction' by hosting US missile systems and denounced Manila's plan to encourage fishermen to operate in disputed South China Sea waters. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila dismissed drug-smuggling allegations by Philippine military officials as 'baseless slander'. The United States has reportedly decided to deploy additional strategic Typhon missile systems in the Philippines after transporting the mid-range missile launcher to Luzon last year. The US Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missiles, used in last month's Balikatan joint exercise, will also remain as a 'deterrent against coercion', the Philippine military said. Manila's move to introduce these strategic weapons is 'binding itself to the US war machine', which would undermine regional security and stability and sabotage the common interests of regional nations, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said in Beijing on Thursday. 'Inviting wolves into the house will backfire, leading to self-destruction. They will destroy their own homes,' Zhang said.
