US troops can be deployed to disputed islands – Biazon

American soldiers may be deployed to disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) alongside their Filipino counterparts under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), according to Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, a former chief of the Armed Forces.

The lawmaker, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, on Tuesday noted that the deployment of US troops is similar to the provision under the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that allows American soldiers to engage in anti-terrorism and disaster-preparedness training with their Philippine counterparts. American soldiers, however, are banned from participating in combat operations.