Duterte eyes review of EDCA

From Malaya Business Insight (Oct 3): Duterte eyes review of EDCA

PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday said he might be forced to ask American soldiers to leave the country “altogether” entirely as he ordered a review of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The President made the statement during the opening of the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City as he lashed out at critics, including the United States, for alleging his administration is sanctioning extrajudicial killings and human rights violations being linked to his campaign against illegal drugs.

He also answered those who warned that some American businesses might pull out investments and shrugged off threats the withdrawal could affect the economy.

Duterte reiterated that he is not concerned if the US, a long-time ally and strategic partner of the Philippines, would withdraw support for the Philippines. He also said Filipinos will not grow hungry even if some American investors pull out. He said he is opening another front in foreign policy, reiterating he is looking to establish alliances with countries like Russia and China.

“May I remind the Americans itong EDCA, it is an official document, but it’s only signed by an aide and si (former Defense Secretary Voltaire) Gazmin. It does not bear the signature of the president of the Republic of the Philippines, (Benigno Aquino III). Walang pirma si Aquino. Better think twice now because I’ll be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether,” he said.

“Hindi kami magugutom. We will get out and after review of that document and if I find that there is no signature, if you cannot produce a signature bearing the permit to you, mag-conduct conduct kayo rito ng ano, pati ‘yang war games,” he said.

The EDCA was signed on April 28, 2014 by Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, hours before US President Barack Obama arrived for a two-day state visit. The 10-year agreement establishes a framework for increased US military presence in the Philippines, as part of a “rebalancing” of US resources toward the Asia-Pacific region.

Aquino has explained that the EDCA is just an addition to earlier agreements like the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In January this year, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the EDCA as it said it the executive agreement does not need the concurrence of the Senate. The SC said the EDCA is an “implementation of a previous treaty,” referring to the VFA which was ratified by the Senate in 1999.

Duterte, on those warning about the effects on the economy of a possible pullout of US businesses, said, “Sabihin mo dollar namin kunin niyo, e di kunin niyo,” he said.

Duterte had earlier said that he expects   war games between the Philippines and the US soldiers this month to be the last.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/duterte-eyes-review-edca