By Gabriela Baron
Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. expressed on Sunday, Feb. 5, his elation over senators’ support on the establishment of four new sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Earlier, the Philippines and the United States (US) agreed to establish four new locations for EDCA to “allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters” in the country.
READ MORE: PH, US announce 4 new EDCA sites
“On behalf of the Department of National Defense, I sincerely thank our lawmakers for expressing their support for EDCA and the resumption of joint PH-US maritime patrols,” Galvez said.
“In separate interviews after my recent meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Senators Francis Tolentino, Francis Escudero, and Sherwin Gatchalian
shared their favorable sentiments on these developments in our defense and security policy,” he added.
Galvez said he hopes local government units (LGUs) will also “realize that the EDCA is not just about security,” and urged LGUs to also look into the potential foreign investment and economic development that the sites will bring.
The Defense secretary also noted the country’s responsibility to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights, such as the freedom to fish in its own waters; to ensure freedom of navigation and vital Sea Lines of Communications are kept open; and to promote responsible stewardship over its marine resources.
“I reiterate that these endeavors we are undertaking are consistent with the President’s foreign policy of being a friend to everyone and enemy to no one,” Galvez stressed.
“It is truly encouraging that our distinguished Senators are aware of the importance of EDCA and joint maritime patrols to our national interest. I thank them again for their support,” he added.
Earlier, the Philippine military disclosed that the US has identified and asked for five additional areas for the EDCA — one site each in Palawan, Zambales, and Isabela, and two sites in Cagayan.
The designation of four additional locations will bring the number of EDCA sites in the country to nine.
