General Catapang on EDCA: We cannot move forward if there are legal impediments

From Ang Malaya (Oct 15): General Catapang on EDCA: We cannot move forward if there are legal impediments

Philippines and United States have not yet discussed further details of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). “There are no final or official discussions right now on EDCA,” Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. says speaking to reporters.

“We want a decision on whether EDCA is constitutional or not and unfortunately, we cannot move forward if there are legal impediments,” General Catapang said.

Topics on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the deadly Ebola virus were the highlights of recent Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting held Monday, October 13 at AFP Headquarters.

The AFP Chief said before the MDB-SEB meeting that EDCA will be discussed. “We will discuss important issues, including the areas where they will reposition their humanitarian equipment and the areas that they want to develop for their pre-positioning.”

EDCA will allow US military to use AFP bases to house troops and equipment necessary to respond on regional threats and calamities. It may also help modernizing Philippine military.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/10/15/4986-general-catapang-on-edca-we-cannot-move-forward-if-there-are-legal-impediments