The Department of National Defense insisted Sunday that the proposed four military sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States will not threaten the country’s sovereignty—despite potentially drawing the country into a conflict with China over Taiwan, a US ally.
In a statement, the DND reiterated that the agreed locations for the new EDCA sites were by invitation of the Philippines and are by no means “unhampered” or “unimpeded.”
But the Defense department remained silent over China’s military drills around Taiwan, which stretched into a second day yesterday, even as opposition lawmakers voiced concern over two of the EDCA sites being placed in Luzon near Taiwan, just 400 kilometers away to the north.
Defense analysts also claimed the US would use the sites to deter China’s advance into Taiwan.
“The new sites definitely will be used against China’s operations around Taiwan,” said Prof. Hu Bo of the SCS Strategic Situation Probing Initiative in a GMA News TV interview.
“The Philippines may be passive but involved in the Taiwan issue… That a big thing for China,” Hu said.
Filipino experts disagreed, saying the EDCA sites were for defense.
“That’s a calculated risk we have to take. The other option for us to take if we don’t prepare is the possibility of a Chinese invasion because China will take control of Northern Luzon when push comes to shove over Taiwan,” said Prof. Renato de Castro, a security analyst with ADR Stratbase.
“We are being deterred by the adversary we are defending against,”maritime expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal said. “We might as well just dismantle the Armed Forces and turn the entire AFP into the PNP. It’s like we are going to be afraid of defending ourselves from external threats.”
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said EDCA expansion is practically transforming the Philippines into an “American colony” once again.
“In truth, the EDCA is worse than the MDT, MBA, VFA and SOFA combined because this EDCA appears to be turning us once again into a colony of the US, and it’s the government that let them in,” said Castro, referring to past military treaties between Washington and Manila.
“With these new EDCA sites and the ones to follow, the whole Philippines is turning into a US base,” added the Makabayan bloc lawmaker.
Although Cagayan province, on the northeastern tip of Luzon, will soon host a massive, multimillion-dollar construction programme under EDCA, its governor Manuel Mamba is not pleased.
“I personally oppose this, and I disagree with it and for me, this is inimical to the interest of our province and the Cagayanons,” he said in an interview.
Mamba said on March 23 the presence of EDCA forces would make Cagayan the “primary target” of China should the Sino-US conflict escalate over Taiwan, but later conceded his view was in the minority.
But the DND said there is no “gross violation of national sovereignty” as claimed by the allegations from the opposition, stressing that the EDCA itself was deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court.
It emphasized that EDCA sites were the country’s first step “in securing the safety of its citizens and it will boost the nation’s response during calamities and in safeguarding the Philippines’ territory.”
“We call on the public to approach and understand the issue beyond the myopic perception that strengthening the military’s capabilities means inviting war or conflict,” the statement said.
“Time and again, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ assets and facilities have been utilized to respond to various threats to the security and safety of the Filipino people. Allocating resources for the development of the country’s defense capabilities and the enhancement of the skills of its troops is a part of the functions of a state such as the Philippines,” it added.
The EDCA Agreed Locations “are not permanent basing facilities for theUnited States but will be jointly operated by the two sides, and the use of its ally is subject to the country’s permission and mutual agreement,” the statement added.
The EDCA sites primarily consist of storage facilities that will onlybe utilized during exercises and emergencies, the Defense department noted.
DND also said that the construction and development of the new bases were being funded by Washington and it helped in creating jobs andboosting the local economies of the local communities, where the sites are located.
But China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning claimed the additional EDCA bases may place the country into a whirlpool of conflict.
“The comments on the locations of the new military bases also speak to the concern shared by many insightful people in the Philippines, who worry that this may draw their country into the whirlpool of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait,” Mao said during a news conference.
Mao said that Beijing is not the one “stirring the pot” but Taiwan’s independence forces on the island and certain countries that support these forces.
“We hope regional countries could see clearly who is fueling tensions across the Taiwan Strait for what purpose and will not pull someone else’s chestnuts out of the fire at their own expense,” Mao added.
The AFP earlier showed its support in building four additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the country.
AFP Spokesperson Medel Aguilar said in a statement that fully backed the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to add new sites in the country citing it would help the country’s disaster response capability and strengthen its capacity to protect the people and the state.
“The new EDCA sites are strategic in the AFP’s thrust to strengthen its capacity to protect the people and the state, advance our national interests, and enhance the country’s disaster response capability,” said Aguilar.
“EDCA will give us the needed infrastructure to develop our force in line with our acquisition of modern equipment,” he added.
The new EDCA sites will rise in the following areas: Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
Aguilar also said that coordination with our US counterpart is vital in bringing hope and needs to local communities in the country.
“We shall closely coordinate with our US counterpart to realize these objectives. We also appreciate the US’ commitment to prioritize the needs of our local communities and hope to do our share of bringing our alliance closer than ever to the benefit of the Filipino people,” said Aguilar.
The United States also assured that Washington is not seeking permanent bases in the Philippines following the announcement of the locations that may be accessed by US forces under the EDCA.
In a media briefing in Washington, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stressed that the new “EDCA sites” would be for regional readiness and response against threats and disasters.
“Well, this is more about regional response, regional readiness. This is an arrangement that we have with the Philippines that goes back many years. And in — is an investment in our cooperation with the Philippines for better interoperability,” Singh said.
“Again, we do not seek permanent basing in the Philippines and this is just one additional aspect that will increase training between our two countries,” she added. With Rey Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
