Del Rosario lauds Duterte administration's acceptance of EDCA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7): Del Rosario lauds Duterte administration's acceptance of EDCA

Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert Del Rosario lauded the decision of the incoming Duterte administration accepting the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.

He made this statement during the "Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement” forum held at the National Defense College of the Philippines, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Tuesday.

"I think that we welcome the acceptance of EDCA by the new administration because we believe it’s a very important component, very essential in terms of the moving forward our alliance," Del Rosario stressed.

The former DFA chief said US and Philippines commitment to implement EDCA is on schedule.

"We’re on schedule, we’re trying to move forward with it, as I say it’s a very important mechanism in terms of moving forward with our treaty alliance," Del Rosario stressed.

Possible Filipino military bases to be opened under the EDCA include Fort Magsayay in Nueva Ecija; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Basa Air Base, in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu; Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; Naval Station San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales, Antonio Bautista Airbase, Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan De Oro and Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez earlier said the EDCA, which was declared constitutional by the Supreme Court (SC) last Jan. 12, will help boost Philippine maritime security and HADR capabilities.

"The DND welcomes the ruling of our SC declaring EDCA constitutional. With this development that builds upon our mutual defense treaty, we look forward to advancing our defense modernization and strengthening maritime Security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities," he added.

The SC, voting 10-4-1, declared EDCA as constitutional.

It also upheld the position of the government that the EDCA is an executive agreement and does not need the Senate concurrence.

In the same vein, Galvez said this puts the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a better position to improve inter-operability with the US military aside from improving the AFP's capabilities.

Finalized after eight rounds of talks that began in August 2013, EDCA, which signed in 2014, allows US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels, but rules out permanent basing.

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