The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) mentioned Sunday that additional establishing Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) websites in Philippine territory is feasible so as to add extra safety functionality for the troops.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar expressed hope that the enlargement of the EDCA websites with the US would proceed, in gentle of the conduct of the most important Balikatan navy workouts.
“Ito po ay posible, palagay ko, kasi nga [I think this is possible because] what we want to protect, because we are an archipelagic country…if we are to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the protection of maritime resources that should be enjoyed by our people, we need 360-degree protection capability for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he mentioned.
Malacañang not too long ago introduced 4 new EDCA websites: 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.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. mentioned the 4 further EDCA websites wouldn’t be used for offensive actions.
The 5 current EDCA areas are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, nevertheless, questioned the areas of EDCA websites in addition to the supposed disregard on some involved areas within the nation.
Committee chairperson Senator Imee Marcos mentioned the chosen areas appear to be “random” and “no longer purposeful” for the modernization of the AFP.
Aguilar, nevertheless, maintained that the number of EDCA websites underwent a strategic course of and was primarily based on what the nation wants.
“Ito ay ayon siyempre sa mga nangyayaring developments sa ating bansa at ayon na rin sa nakikita nating kakulangan na dapat ay mapunuan. Ang pagpili ay isinagawa rin to primarily, ito ay rekomendasyon na nanggagaling sa atin kasi tayo ay may sinusundan na roadmap para sa modernization program ng AFP,” he mentioned.
(This was in response to the developments taking place in our nation and on what we deem as nonetheless missing that needs to be stuffed. The alternative was additionally made in our suggestion primarily based on the roadmap for the modernization program of the AFP.)
The Philippines’ western and jap seaboards have been additionally thought of in finding the brand new EDCA websites, Aguilar added.
Signed in 2014, the EDCA grants US troops entry to designated Philippine navy services and permits them to construct services, and preposition tools, plane, and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
