EDCA

The Agreement’s main objective is to promote peace and security in the region. While outlining new defence cooperation measures and to bolster the United States of America and the Philippines security relationship by allowing the US to station troops and operations on Philippine territory.

ISSUES

Sovereign/Constitutional- By granting US military forces unimpeded access and use of Philippine military and civilian facilities it is revealed to be a thinly-veiled basing treaty, EDCA violates Constitutional provisions on the protection of the environment, the Labor Code, the National Internal Revenue Code and the Local Government Code.

Economic Gains-The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) claims that EDCA will further benefit the Philippines through the provision of jobs and other economic opportunities in the construction activities and procurement of local goods and supplies by the Us military and personnels.

Impact on Livelihood-Military presence and operation under EDCA will harshly impact on the livelihood of the local communities where the Agreed Locations will be established, already the Balikatan military drills have been affecting local livelihood such as the small fishers who are being displaced during naval exersices by US and Filipino troops.

POINT OF VIEW

            From all the point of view, be it in the positive or in the negative, one question comes to my mind. Who will be benefited the most by EDCA? It would be very hard to determine, unless we see its implementation. Chief Justice Sereno stated during their oral arguments. “EDCA should be given a chance first. When we see implementing agreements and acts that really derogate the Philippine sovereignity and then that is when we step in.” I am in favor of the implementation of EDCA, knowing that the Government is at guard to protect our sovereignity.