ZAMBALES, Philippines (April 9, 2013) Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Margret G. Kibben speaks to members of the 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion about the work they are doing during Exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr/Released)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday reiterated that no American military base will be constructed in the country under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.
“Hindi po ‘yan mangyayari dito sa EDCA dahil kung magtatayo ng base militar, dapat may bagong treaty na dapat ratipikahin ng Senado,” Drilon said.
He mentioned the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which has been in effect since 1999 and is the “controlling treaty” of the EDCA.
“Matagal na ang Visiting Forces Agreement at wala namang naitayo na base militar dito,” Drilon stressed.
Leftist organizations have blasted the agreement, saying it will allow the return of military bases in the country.
“The [Supreme Court] decision will pave the way for the construction of new US military facilities in different parts of the country,” said Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the petitioners against EDCA.
“It likewise paves the way for the use by US troops of existing PH military facilities, rent free and tax free,” he added.
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares, for his part, said the agreement was highly disadvantageous to the Filipino people as it “provides for rent-free, tax exemptions for US forces and their contractors, as well as the unlimited term of the EDCA which may go beyond 10 years.”
In upholding EDCA’s constitutionality, the high court sided with its proponents that it is an executive agreement and therefore does not need the ratification of the Senate, contrary to the claim of several senators.
In November, the Senate adopted a resolution, sponsored by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, stating that EDCA is invalid without the chamber’s concurrence. Fourteen senators voted in favor of the resolution.
Dispute with China
In the interview, Drilon noted the importance of EDCA in the face of the country’s dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea.
“Ito ay dokumento na magde-define ng ating security agreement lalo na po at mabigat ang hinaharap natin sa South China Sea,” he said, adding that the Philippines and the US have a common interest, which is freedom of navigation.
He believed the obligation of the two countries under the VFA will prevail if ever there will be an outbreak of violence as a result of the dispute.
“Whatever is the obligation of US under the VFA, walang dinagdag, binawas sa EDCA,” Drilon said. “Ito ay implementation lamang ng ating obligasyon at ng obligasyon ng Amerika sa VFA.”
For his part, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who is in favor of EDCA, said the SC ruling validated his position and his vote against the Senate resolution.
“Sabi ko more importantly, we can now take advantage of the security opportunities that this agreement has offered,” he said in a phone interview with reporters.
Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, in a radio interview, lauded the SC for its decision.
“Ako papalakpakan ko ang Korte Suprema dito sa ginawa nila sapagkat wala tayong preparation to secure this country,” he said.
“Wisely, the Supreme Court made a courageous decision in spite of the public reaction to sustain the EDCA in order to protect the Filipino people and this nation for possible enslavement for centuries by a giant power in Asia,” he added, referring to China..
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, one of those who voted in favor of the Senate resolution, said he has yet to see the SC decision “but at the very least it puts to rest whatever uncertainty there may have been regarding EDCA’s status.”
Santiago, meanwhile, has yet to issue a comment as her office is still trying to get a full copy of the SC decision. (MNS)