Gazmin cites enhanced military ties with US in calmer but disputed waters
In this photo taken Feb. 25, 2014 by surveillance planes and released Thursday, May 15, 2014, by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, a Chinese vessel, top center, is used to expand structures and land on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, at the Spratly Islands at South China Sea, Philippines. The Philippines has protested China’s reclamation of land in the disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The white arrow was added by the source. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Chinese vessels stopped harassing Filipino ships en route to the disputed Ayungin Shoal after the Philippines and the United States signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in April, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told a Senate committee on Monday.
Gazmin claimed that the EDCA—which provides for increased US military presence in the country and US access to Philippine military bases—was “a deterrent” against external security threats such as those presented by China.
“Right now, we use EDCA as a deterrent to threats to our security. As we continue using the EDCA, we continue to fill the gap [of our Armed Forces] through our modernization program,” Gazmin said during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the EDCA.
Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., however, said the agreement didn’t provide did not guarantee the US assistance if the country came into a “shooting war” with another country.
“Why will an aggressive power be afraid to attack us?” Marcos said.
To which, Gazmin said, “The deterrence nangyayari na ngayon. Kita niyo hindi ho tayo inaatake sa pagresupply ang ating mga tropa sa Ayungin Shoal.”
Marcos, who has been at odds with the Aquino administration despite being part of the majority coalition in the Senate, didn’t agree with the defense secretary.
“I think that is due to the bravery of our own servicemen. I don’t think the Americans played a part, but never mind, that is your interpretation,” Marcos said.
In March, a Philippine Navy research vessel loaded with Philippine troops, supplies, and members of the media managed to reach Ayungin Shoal despite efforts by the Chinese Coast Guard to block it.
The Philippine Navy’s BRP Sierra Madre remains as the country’s outpost on the Ayungin Shoal.
A month after the alleged harassment, the Philippines and the US inked the EDCA on April 28.
Under the EDCA, the US will be allowed to build structures, store and preposition weapons, defense supplies and materiel, station troops, civilian personnel and defense contractors, transit and station vehicles, vessels, and aircraft for a period of 10 years inside “agreed locations.” (MNS)