MANILA, Philippines- Iniaalok ng gobernador ng Surigao del Norte at mambabatas ang kanilang lalawigan bilang posibleng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site, kung saan binanggit ang “distinct advantage” nito apra sa United States at Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Sinabi ng magkapatid na sina Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers at Gov. Lyndon Barbers na iniimbitahan nila ang militar na inspeksyunin ang kanilang probinsya na matatagpuan sa northeastern tip ng Mindanao, at ikonsidera bilang karagdagang EDCA site.
“It has a distinct advantage as it is openly facing the Pacific Ocean yet has an outlet to the West Philippine Sea. The ships can traverse the country from East to West and vice-versa without needing to circle around. This is a very strategic advantage,” ani Rep. Barbers.
“Setting up an EDCA base would benefit not only the province but the whole eastern regions of the Visayas and Mindanao,” dagdag ni Gov. Barbers.
Sinabi nila na mabebenipisyuhan din ang probinsya mula sa “economic prosperity,” at wala umanong dapat ipangamba ang mga residente dahil ang presensya ng militar “would discourage any hostile activity.”
Nauna nang sinabi ng US military official na sinisilip ng Manila at Washington ang posibilidad ng paglikha ng bagong EDCA sites sa Pilipinas bukod pa sa siyam. RNT/SA
