US ambassador: EDCA a very good agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Ambassador to the Philippines believes the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) being scrutinized in the Supreme Court is equally beneficial to both countries.

Philip Goldberg on Monday defended the EDCA, whose constitutionality as an executive accord is questioned by former officials responsible for the removal of United States military bases in 1991.

"We have a very good agreement that is in the mutual interest of both countries," Goldberg said in an interview on TV5's Reaksyon. "It provides for further deepening of our mutual defense."

The EDCA allows the US and its oldest ally in Asia to military engage on different levels and boosts the Philippines' maritime security capabilities, he said.

"People here have to realize is what EDCA does is to provide further ability of two countries to work together, to operate together through co-location of our rotating presence here," Goldberg added.

Supporters of the EDCA cite the country's dangerous contest with China over areas of the South China Sea, while the US furthers its presence in the region as part of its foreign policy rebalance.

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Critics of the agreement also call for a reassessment of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allows US government to retain jurisdiction in most cases over its military personnel accused of crimes in Philippine soil.

The calls mounted as an American Marine was held as accused in the slay of a Filipino in Olongapo City during a recent bilateral training between Philippine and US forces. 

Goldberg said, however, that the EDCA should not be confused with the VFA and "complicate the issue."

"VFA [is] really [about] rules of our road, our rights and obligations to each other as two sovereign countries and where it comes to exercises and presence of US forces here," he noted.
The EDCA, signed in April during the visit of US President Barack Obama met opposition from left-leaning groups and petitioners before the high court. They claim EDCA has characteristics of a  treaty requiring Congress approval.

The government, however, maintained that the landmark accord is in "strict compliance with the Philippine Constitution, law and jurisprudence" and carries "utmost respect for Philippine sovereignty."