US wants implementation of Edca soon

From the Business Mirror (Jul 3): US wants implementation of Edca soon

U.S. Ambassador to Manila, Philip Goldberg on Friday said his country wants to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the Philippines as soon as possible, as it would allow the immediate institution of a minimum credible defense posture to counter the aggressive moves of China in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“I think the Aquino administration agrees with that idea. We’re hopeful of implementing it as soon as possible because it will allow the Philippines to build a minimum credible defense to grow into more operations and maritime security, maritime domain awareness and it will allow the United States more presence in the region, which, of course, is the feature of the rebalance,” Goldberg said at the sidelines of the 239th US Independence Day celebration at a hotel in Makati City.

Goldberg said the security relationship between Manila and Washington is well known and that he’s looking forward to implementing the Edca when the Supreme Court has finished its review of the document.

But Edca is facing an uphill battle in the SC, where it remains awaiting decision after some politicians and other opponents challenged its constitutionality last year. The Senate weighed in on the controversy, claiming that the Upper House has to scrutinize the Edca deal before it takes effect.

Asked to comment on this developments, Goldberg said: “It is a Philippine decision whether or not it’s going through the Supreme Court or what’s the political view of it are.”

“That’s for Filipinos to decide, not for us, but we negotiated it in good faith obviously, and we want to implement it because we think it’s important for the security of both our countries,” he added.

Edca was signed just days before US President Barack Obama visited Manila in April 2014.

The agreement will allow US forces wide access to local military bases and build facilities to store fuel and equipment for maritime security.

One frequently mentioned area is Oyster Bay in the west coast of Palawan, directly facing the WPS, which, when finished, would approximate the US naval strength in Subic Bay, Zambales, that the US Navy once occupied.

Goldberg added that the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has provided the country with $5 million as part of the assistance to the “rebalance” of forces to Asia and second unspecified amount is coming to show America’s commitment to help the Philippines achieve a minimum defense capability.

Goldberg added that the rebalance is ongoing and the Philippines was given $5 billion worth of assistance over a five-year period. It was administered by the USAid and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

“And we have offered a second possible compact. The board of MCC has approved for the Philippines for a second compact, and for our military funding, so it is extensive and it’s ongoing.”

“So I think our relationship with the Philippines is emblematic of the things we’re doing in the rebalance to build up our alliances, and the Philippines is our oldest ally in the region, so it’s important that we do it here,” he added.

“No one should question our commitments to the Philippines. At the same time, we salute the Philippines for its efforts  to solve regional problems peacefully, legally and diplomatically, and we thank you secretary [Albert del Rosario] for your principled leadership on those issues,” he said, while offering a  toast.

Goldberg said the Filipinos and Americans have stood together shoulder to shoulder for more than 70 years and “we continue to face the future, shoulder to shoulder, confident in an alliance that is tried, tested and, as President [Barack] Obama and Secretary of Defense [Ash] Carter have made, clear iron-clad.”

Del Rosario said a Department of Foreign Affairs mission is leaving for The Hague on Saturday to present its oral argument before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which will decide on the country’s claim to delineate China’s claims in the South China Sea.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/us-wants-implementation-of-edca-soon/