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Yasay assures Kerry of EDCA implementation under Duterte admin


Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. on Wednesday assured US Secretary of State John Kerry that the Philippines would fully implement the Enhanced Cooperation and Defense Agreement under the Duterte administration.

In a joint news conference, Yasay said he discussed with Kerry "a full range of issues in our bilateral relations, including EDCA.

"I assured Secretary Kerry that we will pursue our planning process for the full implementation of EDCA," he said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed its earlier ruling that upheld the constitutionality of EDCA, voting 9-4 to deny a motion for reconsideration that sought to reverse the court's January 12 decision in favor of the pact.

Under the agreement negotiated by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, the US will be allowed to build structures; store as well as pre-position weapons, defense supplies and materiel; and station troops, civilian personnel and defense contractors, transit and station vehicles, vessels, and aircraft for a period of 10 years.

Last January, the Philippines offered eight bases where the US can build facilities to store equipment and supplies.

Kerry noted the importance of the pact, not only in defense, but also in disaster response.

"It not only helps us coordinate our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, but it also allows the United States to provide rapid assistance to the Philippines in the event of an emergency, because it enables us to be able to pre-position humanitarian relief supplies," Kerry said.

"Moving forward, the EDCA will also expand our opportunities for our militaries to work together, and that will help modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines in order to help them be able to increase their effectiveness in responding to 21st century threats," he added. —NB, GMA News