Sources: PHL warns US of public backlash vs. EDCA

From GMA News (Oct 15): Sources: PHL warns US of public backlash vs. EDCA

The Philippine government has asked United States authorities to fully cooperate in resolving the killing of a Filipino transgender woman allegedly by a US Marine to avoid a public backlash on the recently signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Filipino officials said on Wednesday.

 

The warning was recently conveyed by the Department of Foreign Affairs to American officials verbally, said two officials, who spoke to a select group of journalists on condition of anonymity. Both had no authority to speak about the matter before the media.  

“We expect full cooperation out of this investigation and the conclusion of the case,” one official said.

 

“We’re not saying that he should be found guilty, but there should be a process or else there will be repercussions on the [EDCA],” the other source added, referring to the new military pact, which was signed by Manila and Washington in April this year.

 

The killing of Jeffrey Laude, 26, sparked strong condemnations from the LGBT community, women’s groups and left-wing activists, who called it a “hate crime.”   

 

The Philippine National Police has identified Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton. A murder charge was filed against him on Wednesday afternoon in Olongapo City.
 

Asked what kind of repercussion the DFA expected if the US failed to cooperate in the case, the officials said: “Public pressure.”

 

The new defense agreement with the US, which allows large numbers of American troops to gain temporary access in local military camps, could not be fully enforced until the Supreme Court resolved petitions questioning its constitutionality.     

 

EDCA was signed by the Philippines and US after eight months of negotiations.

 

Philippine officials hoped EDCA would deter increasing Chinese assertion and presence over disputed South China Sea territories as the country shored up the defense capability of its cash-strapped military.

 

The pact grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.

 

Women’s group Gabriela staged a protest action at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, demanding the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, a military pact signed by Manila and Washington in 1998 that allows the exit and entry of US personnel in the country for military exercises with their Filipino counterparts.

 

They also called for the scrapping of the EDCA.

 

“EDCA’s future must be put on the line after this incident. The Aquino government must stop all negotiations related to EDCA immediately,” Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said.

 

Retired Gen. Eduardo Oban, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, earlier said the Philippine government would insist on the custody of Pemberton after formal charges have been filed against him.

 

Pemberton and unidentified US Marines who will serve as witnesses to the incident are being held on board their mother ship, the USS Peleliu.

 

Six US military ships currently in the country were grounded following Laude’s killing, but the ban was lifted on Tuesday, except for the Peleliu.

 

The five ships were already given diplomatic clearance to exit the Philippines and could depart by Friday, Oban said.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/383683/news/nation/sources-phl-warns-us-of-public-backlash-vs-edca