Ever since the creation of the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement), it has been a concern of many “skeptic” Filipinos that the sites might be an extension of US Military bases, and be used for aggression against China. However, last week, it was again clarified by the US Ambassador, Mary Kay Carlson that the EDCA sites, though grants American troops greater access to the Philippines, are not US Military Bases.
Carlson said in one of her interviews: “These are not US bases. It’s important to note that these are not our sites. We have no rights to these sites. It’s not as simple as snapping a finger and suddenly having access to everything.” She clarified that those sites are Philippine Military bases where the US provides financial support and contributes capital for necessary developments in the military.
If you remember, President Marcos had earlier made a same statement, where he gave assurance that these EDCA sites will not be used for offensive operation against China, but it will only serve as a joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US.
In fact, the Pentagon (of the US) addressed these concerns by affirming that the US is not seeking permanent bases in the Philippines through the new EDCA sites. It emphasized that activities carried out would be responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities.
Carlson even added that: “There’s so much that we’re working together. It’s not about China. It’s certainly not about China alone. It’s about what we do together and it dates back decades.” Decades being referred to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US.
The question, though, will be: “Can we really trust what they’re saying?”
That’s a story for another time. (AJDB)
