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Tracking 4 new EDCA sites
By Nidz Godino
"As number of EDCA bases mutate into nine, administration should brief Congress and tell public on where these additional four will be…national security is not harmed by that candor..but any secrecy will deal transparency, an avowed hallmark of this administration, serious blow," House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto of Batangas, former senator, said in a statement Marcos administration should bare its ultimate goal behind decision to increase number of Philippine military bases accessible to American soldiers under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Philippines and United State.t
Recto issued statement day after Philippines and US agreed to designate four new sites in strategic areas in the country as part of EDCA for more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters, and to respond to other shared challenges.
"What are the benefits that we as nation will gain from EDCA 9?...panalo ba ang bayan diyan…at ano naman kaya ang maaring perhuwisyo, kung meron man?" he stressed
Recto said administration should also explain if such expansion is unlimited going forward and will make Philippines, former American colony, military garrison of US.
"Ilang military bases pa ba ang sasaklawin sa darating na panahon…are we being built up as their armed garrison in the Pacific as tripwire to Chinese expansionism…by agreeing to EDCA plus, Defense officials would have first studied its ramifications, specifically potential reaction from other states, and our planned responses, men from Washington who came to town said they would like to speed up EDCA's implementation…if that is what they desire, then what is ultimate goal…what triggered expansion…are nine bases sum of our fears," Recto pointed out.
Recto, however, clarified that he is still supportive of the decision.
"In principle, this is an administration prerogative I support…but I ask that whatever agreements be made public and pros and cons be told," Recto stressed.
As this developed, at least three senators welcomed Philippines and United States' decision to designate new EDCA sites.
Senators Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian and Francis Escudero all believe this development would help in promoting stability in Indo-Pacific region.
EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels, but rules out permanent basing.
The Philippine Constitution outlaws foreign military bases in the country unless covered by treaty.
"The expansion of EDCA is well within bounds of such agreement and will help promote regional stability together with long-time ally of the Philippines — United States," Escudero said.
For his part, Gatchalian said it is to Philippines' "best interest to renew and strengthen" its relations with US, which he said is considered as one of the country's oldest military allies.
"It balances geopolitics in the region and it is important not only for Philippines but also in the region," he said.
Gatchalian likewise emphasized Philippines' Mutual Defense Treaty with US help country in terms of interoperability not only in military aspect but also in disaster preparedness.
In a virtual interview, Tolentino sees no problem with expansion of EDCA as long as original intent of existing agreement is followed.
He added there's "nothing wrong" with expansion despite tensions in West Philippine Sea.
"If you are talking of peace in the West Philippine Sea, what's wrong with thatIf you are talking of the ability of our fishermen to fish in the area, what's wrong with that…if you're talking of ability of our government to explore and exploit our natural resources in the area, what's wrong with that…if you are talking about freedom of navigation in that area, which is an international trade route, what's wrong with that,?" Tolentino said as he explained EDCA is part of implementation of Mutual Defense Treaty.
Asked if he sees this as pivot of country's foreign policy from China to US, Tolentino said Duterte administration never stopped implementation of the military pacts with America.
"Even Visiting Forces Agreement was recognized by the Duterte administration..so there was probably reinvigorated Philippine-China relationship during previous administration but EDCA and VFA, they were implemented to the last letter during Duterte administration," Tolentino said.
"There is no change… relationship with China is still there," he added.
United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to MDT during their bilateral meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez.
Likewise, Austin said they discussed actions to address these destabilizing activities in water surrounding the Philippines including West Philippine Sea.
Under MDT signed in 1951, the two countries agreed that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either Philippines or US would be dangerous and that they would act to meet common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.
Meanwhile, "verification is under way until facts are clear, making conjectures and hyping up issue will not help to properly resolve it,"China over reports, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told regular briefing China was working to verify facts around US claims Beijing flew spy balloon over its territory, warning against "hype" over the issue.
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