The designation of latest EDCA websites—extra Philippine army services which can be accessed by US forces—is seen as a provocation to China, an skilled from a think-tank has stated.
According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras”, Prof. Hu Bo of the SCS Strategic Situation Probing Initiative stated the brand new websites “definitely will be used against China’s operations around Taiwan.”
“The Philippines may be passive but involved in the Taiwan issue… That a big thing for China,” Hu stated.
Filipino consultants disagreed saying the EDCA websites have been for protection.
“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,” stated Prof. Renato de Castro, a safety analyst with ADR Stratbase.
“We are being deterred by the adversary we are defending against,” Prof. Jay Batongbacal stated.
“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,” Batongbacal stated. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
