"China's reaction is not really surprising because they are worried. But the Philippines will not allow the use of its bases for any offensive action. These will only be used to help the Philippines if it needs help," Marcos said, as quoted by media.
Marcos added that the Philippines had given the US expanded access to its bases for aid during natural disasters, as the facilities are located in the disaster prone areas.
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed in 2014 between the US and the Philippines with the aim of strengthening the military cooperation of the two countries. The document envisages joint military exercises and higher interoperability between the armed forces of the US and the Philippines. Under the EDCA, the US is not allowed to have permanent military bases in the Philippines, but the agreement provides for US troops' extended stays on the Philippine military bases.
Last week, the US Defense Department announced that the Philippines and the US had agreed to expand their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement EDCA to four new locations, one of them near the South China Sea. Commenting on the recent agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that it would lead to "more tensions and less peace and stability" in the region.