PH-Malaysia Military Ties Strong Despite EDCA Site Concerns

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said its relationship with Malaysia remains strong amid concerns raised by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site with the United States in Palawan. At a press briefing, AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad acknowledged the geographic proximity of Palawan's Balabac area to Malaysia's Sabah. “Geography is a constant. Balabac is close to Malaysia. That's a given. The AFP and the Malaysian Defence Forces have very strong military-to-military relationships. We have a lot of engagements with them,” Trinidad said. “The actions of the Philippines, when it comes to our defense and security matters, are actions of a sovereign state designed to give us more leverage in executing our mandate of securing and protecting our territory against any foreign threat that is currently encroaching into our maritime domain,” he added. For matters involving the diplomatic side of the issue, Trinidad said the AFP would defer to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in August expressed concerns over the EDCA site in Palawan. EDCA, signed in 2014, grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels, but rules out permanent basing. There are currently nine EDCA sites in the country.