Marcos: EDCA sites won't be used for offensive actions

PILAR, Bataan — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday maintained that the four additional sites under the country's Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US would not be used for offensive actions.

"Ang reaksyon ng China ay di naman siguro kataka-taka pero hindi... naman tayo papayag na gamitin ang mga bases natin sa kahit anong offensive na action," Marcos told reporters when asked to comment on China's concern that the latest EDCA sites would provoke tension in the region.

"Ito ay para lamang tulungan ang Pilipinas pagka nangangailangan ng tulong," he added.

(China's reaction was not surprising, but we will not allow our bases to be used in any offensive action. This is just to help the Philippines in cases in needed help.)

Marcos also said China has nothing to worry about these additional military facilities as the Philippine government is only enhancing the country's defense posture.

"Kaya't kung wala namang sumusugod sa atin, hindi na sila kailangang mag-alala dahil hindi naman sila natin lalabanan. Ang ginagawa lamang natin ay ipagpatuloy natin na pinapatibay natin ang depensa ng ating teritoryo, ang pagdepensa ng republika," he said.

(Unless we are attacked, there is nothing to be feared because we will not launch an offensive. What we are doing is just continuing to fortify our defenses.)

Marcos reiterated that all the four additional EDCA sites are "existing bases."

"These are existing bases. Unang-una, these are existing bases... lahat ito existing na 'yan, mayroon na tayong kampo diyan na dati pa," he said.

The new EDCA sites will be the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

The five current EDCA locations are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.

The President said the latest EDCA sites were determined in areas that were commonly hit by natural disasters such as typhoons.

"Ngayon, ang pinagpilian natin ay ang pinakanakikita natin na madalas ay napipinsala sa mga bagyo, sa anumang disaster," Marcos said.

(Now, the choices were areas that were commonly hit by typhoons, by disasters.)

But according to Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the additional EDCA sites "may draw them [Philippines] into the whirlpool of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait."

Beijing also said Washington was "endangering regional peace and stability" with a new deal expanding American troops' access to bases in the Philippines.

Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, allows them to build facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels. Permanent basing is prohibited.

'We have to honor our commitment'

For Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, China's statements are their strategy to discourage the Philippines from honoring its commitment with the US.

"Diskarte nila 'yan e. Hindi tayo magpapatinag sa kanila. Bakit ba ang tagal naman nilang ginagawa 'yung... pambu-bully sa atin. Bakit pa tayo magpa-additional bully? Gawin natin ang dapat nating gawin dito.  'Wag tayo magpa-bully sa kanila, 'wag tayo magpatakot sa kanila," Dela Rosa said in an online interview Monday.

(It's their strategy but our stand should be firm. They are already bullying us, why would we let them bully us again?)

Dela Rosa also sees no problem in the upcoming Balikatan exercise despite China's latest statement and amidst the ongoing tension in Taiwan Strait.

"Sila nga e, 'di ba? They are conducting live fire exercises, 'yung China, sa kanilang area. Tayo naman magka-conduct tayo dito through EDCA, 'yung ating mga Balikatan na ginagawa ngayon. Wala naman sigurong problema yan...basta 'yung bala hindi lalanding dito sa ating area, 'yung bala natin hindi la-landing sa kanilang area," he said.

(China is also conducting live fire exercises in their area. We are also doing Balikatan exercises through EDCA, but there should be no problem there as long as their ammunition won't land here and our ammunition won't land in their area.)

He added that Marcos is the main architect of Philippine foreign policy. Thus, China cannot dictate the Philippines as the upcoming military exercise is only part of its commitment to the United States.

"Sinundan lang natin ang commitment natin with the United States, 'yung pag-implement ng EDCA. We have to honor our commitment. So regardless kung nagte-threaten ang China, anong dating niyan sa atin—show of concern or protest or threat laban sa atin? Hindi nila tayo pwedeng diktahan," he said.

"Same is true with the United States. 'Wag nilang tingnan na talagang they can do everything they want here. May limitation siya. May provision naman 'yung pinasukan nating treaty...so dapat i-observe nila yon. Hindi nila abusuhin," he added.

(We are just honoring our commitment with the United States in implementing EDCA. Regardless if China is threatening or showing their concern or protest, they should not dictate us. Same is true with the United States. They cannot do everything they want here. There are limitations as set in our treaty. They should not abuse it and they should observe what is set in the agreement.) —with Hana Bordey/KBK/BM, GMA Integrated News