Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Monday described the brand new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) websites as strategic decisions.
The Palace earlier introduced the 4 new proposed 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.
“Very significant. One is, alam naman natin, one is ‘yung dito sa Naval Base Osias kasi ‘yun ang nakita na talagang medyo nakita namin na very strategic and also in Balabac, kasi ang Balabac nasa SLOCs [sea lines of communication] natin ‘yan e, diyan dumadaan ‘yung ano,” Galvez stated.
“Kasi tingnan mo rin ‘yung responsibility natin sa international community, especially sa West Philippine Sea, diyan dumaan ang ano natin, trade route na more or less $3 trillion and our responsibility on collectively securing that, napakalaki, napakalaki, trillion, that’s trillions,” he added.
Galvez stated the DND is proud of the announcement and that it thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops entry to designated Philippine navy amenities, permits them to construct amenities, and pre-position gear, plane and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited.
Galvez stated the websites have been “collectively decided” by the Philippines and the United States. He added that the development would start “immediately.”
“Actually ‘yan ang hinihintay ng ano, hinihintay ng ating counterpart so that we can immediately make necessary recommendation kasi it will be budgeted by the Congress, their Congress,” Galvez stated.
The DND had stated the brand new EDCA areas would enable extra fast assist for humanitarian and climate-related disasters within the Philippines and different shared challenges.
The authorities doesn’t need the institution of those websites to be taken politically, Galvez stated, which might embrace the interpretation that the US is in search of to determine everlasting bases within the Philippines.
“That’s one, secondly is we don’t want na maging ano siyang, parang ano ‘yan eh permanent basing, so ‘yun ang inaano natin na talagang ano natin dito is basically, these are army camps at saka mga ano, mga army and navy and air force camps na predominantly we occupy, ating bases talaga ‘yun,” he stated.—LDF/BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
