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.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=892670
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