HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph G. Recto questioned the government on expansion of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippine and the United States (US).
“As the number of EDCA bases mutate into 9, the administration should brief Congress and tell the public on where these additional 4 will be,” said Recto in a statement on Friday.
The solon also asked about the benefits the country would gain from the EDCA 9.
“Panalo ba ang bayan diyan? At ano naman kaya ang maaring perwisyo, kung meron man? The men from Washington who came to town said they would like to speed up EDCA’s implementation. If that is what they desire, then what is the ultimate goal?, asked the congressman.
According to Wikipedia, signed by the two governments on April 28, 2014, the EDCA allows the US to rotate troops into the Philippines for extended stays and allows the US to build and operate facilities on Philippine bases for both American and Philippine forces.
“Ilang military bases pa ba ang sasaklawin sa darating na panahon? Are we being built up as their armed garrison in the Pacific as a tripwire to Chinese expansionism? By agreeing to EDCA plus, Defense officials would have first studied its ramifications, specifically the potential reaction from other states, and our planned responses. What triggered the expansion?” he added.
Recto also said that in principle, he supports the prerogative of the administration provided that whatever agreements are it should be made public and the pros and cons be told.
