MANILA, Philippines – Siniguro ni Department of National Defense (DND) officer in charge (OIC) Carlito G Galvez na walang dapat ikabahala, partikular na sa isyu ng ekonomiya at seguridad, ang bagong Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites.
Ito ang inanunsyo ni Galvez makaraang umani ng kritisismo ang karagdagang EDCA sites, kasabay ng pagkabahala sa soberanya ng Pilipinas.
“These Edca sites should not be a cause for concern for anyone since it could also spur economic investments, joint protection, and preservation of our maritime and natural resources,” aniya.
Iginiit rin ni Galvez na ang defense capability building ay pasok pa rin sa sovereign rights ng bansa at nangako na mananatiling alisto ang DNDN upang siguruhin na naisasagawa ng tama at naaayon sa batas ang anumang kasunduan na pinapasok nito sa iba pang mga bansa.
“The Edca was primarily envisioned to develop our own bases and facilities in line with our overall efforts to enhance our defense posture, especially our preparedness for responding to disasters and emergencies,” pagpapatuloy ni Galvez.
Ayon pa sa OIC, palalakasin nito ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), partikular na sa modernization program.
“No less than US Secretary of Defense Austin reiterated during our recent joint press conference that Edca is not about permanent basing in the Philippines, which is forbidden by the Philippine Constitution, but rather a collaborative agreement that will allow our allies access to training opportunities with Philippine personnel on a rotational basis for the purpose of enhancing interoperability and mutual capacity building between Philippine and US forces,” dagdag ni Galvez. RNT/JGC
