Manila, Aug. 13 -- Upgrades on the various Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines are now in place, a U.S. Department of War (DOW) official said on Thursday.

"We already have substantially accelerated the relationship with the Philippines, and we are proud to say that there has been progress with the EDCA sites, and we anticipate more," DOW Undersecretary for Policy Elbridge Colby said when asked for updates regarding these facilities during an online press briefing.

Colby, however, declined to elaborate for security reasons.

Signed in 2014, EDCA paves the way for joint Filipino and American soldiers' training and enables U.S. troops to build facilities and pre-position supplies and equipment inside str...