Philippines Identifies 4 New Strategic Sites for U.S. Military Pact.

The Philippines has identified four more military bases that the United States will have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), almost doubling the number included in the defence agreement. The expansion underlines the Philippines' strategic importance to the United States, coming at a time of growing concern over China's conduct in the South China Sea and tension over self-ruled Taiwan. The locations are significant, with Isabela and Cagayan facing north towards Taiwan, while Palawan is near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where China has built artificial islands equipped with runways and missile systems.