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US to upgrade Philippine military bases as Duterte reverses stance | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The US will upgrade and expand its facilities on Philippine military bases this year, the Philippine defence minister has announced. | The US will upgrade and expand its facilities on Philippine military bases this year, the Philippine defence minister has announced. |
Delfin Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte would honour plans for the US to build barracks, warehouses and runways in at least three locations. | Delfin Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte would honour plans for the US to build barracks, warehouses and runways in at least three locations. |
The move comes despite comments from Mr Duterte last year in which he said he wanted US troops to leave his country. | The move comes despite comments from Mr Duterte last year in which he said he wanted US troops to leave his country. |
Under a defence pact, the US has troops at five Philippine military bases. | Under a defence pact, the US has troops at five Philippine military bases. |
The Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014, allows the US to deploy ships, aircraft and troops at those bases and to store equipment for humanitarian and maritime operations. | The Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014, allows the US to deploy ships, aircraft and troops at those bases and to store equipment for humanitarian and maritime operations. |
"EDCA is still on," Mr Lorenzana told a news conference. | "EDCA is still on," Mr Lorenzana told a news conference. |
He said President Duterte had promised to honour all existing agreements with the US, a long-time ally of the Philippines. | He said President Duterte had promised to honour all existing agreements with the US, a long-time ally of the Philippines. |
Last week, the head of the US Senate's Armed Forces Committee, Senator John McCain, proposed $7.5bn (£6bn) in new military funding for US forces and their allies in the Asia-Pacific region. | Last week, the head of the US Senate's Armed Forces Committee, Senator John McCain, proposed $7.5bn (£6bn) in new military funding for US forces and their allies in the Asia-Pacific region. |
Since taking office last June, Mr Duterte has caused consternation in Washington by saying he wants to pivot away from the US towards China. | Since taking office last June, Mr Duterte has caused consternation in Washington by saying he wants to pivot away from the US towards China. |
In October he said he wanted US troops to leave the country, possibly within two years. | In October he said he wanted US troops to leave the country, possibly within two years. |
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