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Philippine and US navies during a joint military exercise in Zambales, Philippines, on Oct 7, 2022. - Reuters
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Last week’s announcement by US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson that the United States would allocate more than P4 billion (US$69 million) over the next two years to “operationalise” the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) is a welcome development that will bring the military deal closer to attaining its full potential eight years since it was signed by both governments.
This means two things. First, the US will be able to “preposition” more supplies and matériel in at least five key Philippine bases around the country, which it will be able to draw on during emergencies such as military conflict or humanitarian crises, such as the calamity caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” just this weekend.
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