MANILA, Philippines — The “repeated infringements” on the Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea necessitate the enhancement of the country’s defense capabilities, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said yesterday at a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum in Washington.
“The Philippines has been clear and consistent about our interest in maintaining the South China Sea as a sea of peace and stability – and our aim to boost our defense capabilities, including in the framework of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA),” Manalo said.
“Nevertheless, repeated infringements on our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction and other destabilizing actions that go against international law, the 1982 UNCLOS and the spirit and letter of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, also necessitates the enhancement of our defense capabilities,” he added.
“Safeguarding our rights in our Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ and exercising these rights without harassment or denial of access is as much about protecting our fisherfolks’ livelihood and ensuring their access to fishing grounds, as it is about preserving our marine resources for future generations,” he said.
In February, the Philippines protested China’s dangerous maneuvers and use of military-grade laser against a Philippine Coast Guard ship on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal, which the United States said was “provocative and unsafe.”
EDCA sites
The Philippines and the United States have to discuss and agree on the activities and what the US may access in the four new EDCA sites, Manalo said.
“We basically identified the sites. There will have to be, as in the case of the other sites, discussions on terms of reference, the type of activities. These all have to be agreed on. It will all depend on how discussions go,” Manalo said.
The Philippines and the US announced last week four new military sites under the EDCA – Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
The locations already in the agreement are Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation, Lumbia Air Base, Antonio Bautista Air Base and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.
The Pentagon said the US is not seeking permanent bases in the Philippines with the new EDCA sites, assuring the public that activities are responsive to the needs and priorities of local communities.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the expansion of EDCA makes US training with the Philippines more resilient, creating regional readiness and being able to respond to any disaster.