MANILA , Philippines — Tiniyak ng mga opisyal ng depensa at seguridad ng bansana walang direktang banta sa siyam na Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites sa gitna ng tumitinding tensyon sa Middle East.
Nagbigay ng pahayag ang Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), at National Security Council (NSC) matapos manawagan si Sen. Erwin Tulfo ng pagrepaso sa EDCA dahil sa pangambang maaaring maging target ang mga pasilidad kasunod ng labanan na kinasasangkutan ng Estados Unidos, Israel, at Iran.
Ayon kay DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, hindi kalahok ang Pilipinas sa naturang sigalot.
“The DND respects the oversight role of the Philippine Senate and we will always cooperate with them. It must be stated, however, that the hostilities are confined to the Middle East. The Philippines is not a participant in the theater of conflict,” ani Andolong.
“As such, there is no credible direct threat to the Philippines or facilities therein. Iran launched attacks on US facilities in countries that it shares maritime or land borders with. The Philippines poses no threat to Iran,” dagdag niya.
Pinabulaanan din ng mga opisyal ang mga kumakalat na pahayag online na maaaring targetin ang EDCA sites.
May siyam na EDCA locations sa bansa kung saan maaaring mag-operate ang US forces sa rotational basis: Antonio Bautista Air Base sa Palawan, Basa Air Base sa Pampanga, Benito Ebuen Air Base sa Cebu, Fort Magsaysay sa Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Airport sa Cagayan de Oro, Balabac Island sa Palawan, Camp Melchor Dela Cruz sa Gamu, Isabela, Lal-lo Airport sa Cagayan, at Naval Base Camilo Osias sa Santa Ana, Cagayan.
Limang site ang unang itinakda noong 2014, habang apat pa ang inaprubahan noong 2023 upang palakasin ang kakayahan ng bansa sa depensa at humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).
Iginiit ng AFP na hindi permanenteng base ng Estados Unidos ang mga EDCA site at nananatiling pag-aari at kontrolado ng Pilipinas. Pinagtibay ng Korte Suprema ang konstitusyonalidad ng EDCA noong Enero 2016 at muling pinagtibay noong Hulyo 2016. Ipinatutupad ng EDCA ang 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty at 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement.
“Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. They do not belong to the US nor are they being used to launch or stage assaults against another country. They are for joint training, HADR, and the defense and security of our country. They fulfill an important role in the capacity and capability building of the AFP,” diin ni Andolong, at binanggit ang naunang pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos na ang mga ito ay “will not be used for offensive action.”
Nilinaw din ni AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla: “With regard to EDCA, it is essential to clarify that EDCA sites remain Philippine sovereign AFP installations. They are not US bases.”
Dagdag niya, rotational lamang ang access ng US forces at nakatuon sa interoperability, logistics, disaster response, at humanitarian assistance.
“It is also worth noting that the Philippines’ strategic relevance in the region is shaped by geography — particularly in the context of developments in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait — regardless of EDCA. Strengthening alliances and improving our defense posture does not create vulnerability; it contributes to deterrence, preparedness, and stability,” ani Padilla.
Ayon naman kay NSC spokesperson Cornelio Valencia, nananatiling nasa ilalim ng buong pagmamay-ari at pamamahala ng AFP ang mga EDCA site at nakatuon pa rin sa Middle East ang kasalukuyang tensyon.
“At this time, tensions remain confined to the region, and there is no verified direct threat to Philippine territory, including our military facilities. We urge the public to remain calm, exercise discernment, and be vigilant against disinformation,” aniya. Dave Baluyot
