More facilities that will be opened to US military forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will comply with the Constitution and will later be handed over for the use of the government.
“EDCA facilities being funded by the US government will be turned over to the Philippines once they had served their purpose,” Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
Galvez issued a statement Saturday saying that setting up four more EDCA sites will help the country boost its defense capability.
“At the outset, let me point out that defense capability building is within the sovereign right of every country, and in the pursuit of that right the DND has been and will always remain consistent in its position that all engagements with the US, as well as with other foreign partners, must be conducted in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and other national laws,” he said.
Galvez said the establishment of EDCA sites must not be a cause for concern as the deal with the US was primarily envisioned to develop the country’s bases and facilities in line with the DND’s overall efforts to enhance the defense posture of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially in disaster and emergency preparedness.
“In cooperation with the US, EDCA will facilitate infrastructure upgrades that will directly contribute to the enhancement of the AFP’s capabilities and serve as storage or housing for assets and materials that will be prepositioned in agreed locations subject to prior authorization from the Philippines as specified in the EDCA provisions,” he said.
He emphasized that all prepositioned equipment that will be stored in the agreed locations will strengthen the country’s capability to immediately deliver humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected areas as well as promote more rapid reaction times during disasters, emergencies, and other contingencies.
“In terms of personnel, no less than US Secretary of Defense Austin reiterated during our recent joint press conference that EDCA is not about permanent basing in the Philippines, which is forbidden by the Constitution,” he said.
He added: “It is a collaborative agreement that will allow our allies access to training opportunities with Philippine personnel on a rotational basis for the purpose of enhancing interoperability and mutual capacity building between Philippine and US forces.”
Edjen Oliquino @tribunephl_eao