Constitutional Prohibition: Is it Really needed?

Just recently, we had the issue regarding the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Which was supposed to be an adjustment to the existing Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a treaty between the US and the Philippines. There were different views on the matter.

One of the underlying issue regarding the EDCA we should all think about is our constitutional prohibition on foreign military bases in the country.

I think, for now, we should really amend our constitution and remove the so called prohibition. At present, it would be best for our country. It’s the government’s duty to protect our territory from outside forces and we all know that we do not have the military capability to resist any impending foreign attack. We lack the resources and funds to quickly modernize our military. We need the help of foreign nations to enhance our capability. Many nations have offered help and have even donated equipment and funds for it. The US, Japan and Australia are a few who is willing to help.

I do not believe that having the presence of foreign military in our country can easily violate the sovereignty of the Philippines. Ever since our freedom from Spain, the US has been in our country, and they did not deprive us from our independence. But we did not lose their presence even after the 1987 Constitution was ratified. So I see no difference of having permanent or semi-permanent foreign military bases in the country. They have always respected our government and our terms and left the country when they were told to do so. We have the congress to protect our sovereignty by enacting laws and ratifying treaties. They can control what foreign forces can do while in the country, where they can do it, and even let them leave the country if needed.

Right now we really need their help especially with the on-going tensions at the South China Sea. China has been aggressive in confronting countries including ours in the claim over the area. They have harassed our Navy and Coast Guard and even innocent fishermen many times and it is not hard to see how powerless we are. Lately, there is an issue of China deploying missiles in the South China Sea. We could imagine the threat it brings us. The proximity of China’s artificial island to any of our cities would just be a matter of minutes with these kind of attacks.

Removing the constitutional prohibition is the best and most practical solution for now. We should also be thinking realistically and not just ideally.