‘EDCA sites not targets for Iran attacks’

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March 3, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philip pines are not United States military bases, and thus are not targets for Iran’s retaliation, defense and security officials assured the public.

The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philip pines (AFP) said EDCA sites are Philippine facilities, following Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s call for a review of EDCA and warning they could become targets in the widening conflict of the US, Israel and Iran.

Iran targeted multiple Arab states hosting US military facilities with retaliatory strikes.

DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the Philip pines is not a participant in the theater of conflict.

“As such, there is no credible direct threat to the Philippines or facilities therein. Iran launched attacks on US facilities in countries that it shares maritime or land borders with. The Philippines poses no threat to Iran,” he said.

“Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. They do not belong to the US nor are they being used to launch or stage assaults against another country. They are for joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and the defense and security of our country. They fulfill an important role in the capacity and capability building of the AFP,” he stressed.

There are currently nine EDCA sites: Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija), Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Lumbia Air Base (Cagayan de Oro City), Naval Base Camilo Osias (Sta. Ana, Cagayan), Lal-lo Airport (Lal-lo, Cagayan), Camp Melchor dela Cruz (Gamu, Isabela) and one in Balabac Island (Palawan).

Andolong noted that President Marcos has made it clear that the EDCA sites “will not be used for offen sive action.”

EDCA authorizes US forces access to agreed locations in the Philippines on a rotational basis, for security cooperation exercises, joint and combined military training activities and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities.

The US said the Philippines retains sovereignty and control over EDCA agreed locations.

“With regard to EDCA, it is essential to clarify that EDCA sites remain Philippine sovereign AFP instal lations. They are not US bases,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stressed.

“It is also worth noting that the Philippines’ 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. Strengthening alli ances and improving our defense posture does not create vulnerability; it contributes to deterrence, preparedness, and stability,” she added.

The National Security Council (NSC) also issued the same clarification to pre vent misinformation.

“They do not operate in dependently of Philippine authority. They do not tranfer sovereignty to any other state,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año clarified.

“At this time, tensions remain confined to the region and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory including our military facilities. So, we urge the public to remain calm, exercise discernment and be vigilant against disinformation,” the NSC further said in a statement read by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Asked for Marcos’ stance on the conflict, Castro said the President has always been for the “rule of law,” but did not elaborate.

She said she has not received any information on whether Marcos would call for a ceasefire or a de-esca lation of tensions.

“For now, the President prioritizes the condition of our countrymen,” the Palace press officer added.

PNP on heightened alert

As a result of the heightened tensions in the Middle East, the Philippine National Police has been placed on heightened alert, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday.

He said authorities continued to monitor three major threats in the country: criminal gangs, communist terrorist groups and Islamic extremist organizations such as Jemaah Islamiyah and Daesh.

Nartatez said intelligence units were conducting nonstop monitoring of these groups, as well as securing foreign missions and key personalities.

Among those being closely secured are the United States embassy and Israel embassy, including their es tablishments, activities and visiting dignitaries.

“So far, nothing has happened. Our countrymen should not be alarmed, but we remain on guard,” he said.

Direct impact

According to a foreign policy expert, Filipinos are expected to be directly affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting the Philippines’ heavy dependence on crude oil from the region.

“With the closure Strait of Hormuz, we expect that there will be an implication with regards to the stability of prices of oil in the Philip pines and of course in the global market,” Henelito Sevilla Jr. told “Storycon” on One News.

“It would impact basic commodities… and services. Once the oil prices go up, the ordinary Filipinos will be affected, the purchasing power of Filipinos with regards to buying basic commodities being impacted by oil prices,” he added. — Alexis Romero, Mark Ernest Villeza, Janvic Mateo