But in a joint briefing with Austin, Galvez was careful to refer to the four unnamed locations US forces would go to under the agreement as “EDCA sites,” not bases, and stressed that the deal was still contingent on consultations with local authorities.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/03/03/us-troop-expansion-near-taiwan-revives-old-debate-in-philippines/

China has warned the expanded EDCA could endanger regional peace, and accused Washington of having a “zero-sum mentality.”

Source: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213943/chinese-philippine-vessels-in-david-and-goliath-near-crash

DND OIC Carlito Galvez Jr however says 21 of 29 mayors in Cagayan are supporting EDCA sites in his province thru a signed resolution.

Source: https://opinion.inquirer.net/162656/avoid-us-china-war-over-taiwan-for-our-peoples-sake

However, recently, Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian has expressed fears over the recent addition of locations under the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/04/22/chinese-foreign-minister-to-phl-lets-resolve-our-differences-inspirit-of-credibility/

The additional access comes under a 2014 agreement known as EDCA that allows US forces to rotate through Philippine bases.

Source: https://houstonianonline.com/us-gains-access-to-four-additional-military-bases-in-the-philippines-abroad/

This, after the announcement of the Department of National Defense and the United States’ Department of Defense of establishing four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites and another agreement for stronger defense cooperation with Japan.

Source: https://balita.com/imee-wants-her-fathers-self-reliant-defense-program-revived/

U.S. officials have said Washington hopes for an access agreement during Austin's visit, which began on Tuesday, and that Washington has proposed additional sites under an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) dating back to 2014.

Source: https://gazette.com/news/us-world/austins-manila-visit-to-bring-deal-on-expanded-base-access-philippines-official/article_5c1ae748-34f0-55c7-8298-a2807689ca03.html

Washington would be given access to four more locations under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippines’ Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said in a joint news conference.

Source: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/philippines-grants-u-s-greater-access-to-bases-amid-china-concerns-3