Cagayan Governor retains opposition for establishment of EDCA sites, gains support from constituents

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — During a peace rally held on April 17 at the Rizal Park in Tuguegarao City, constituents from all over Cagayan and Governor Manuel N. Mamba called on the President to hear the voices of Cagayanos who stand against the expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the province.

The peace rally in the key city attracted more than an estimated 1,000 supporters and people from all over the province.

Mamba stood firm against the two sites installed at the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town.

For Mamba, EDCA is raising tension between super powers United States and China amid the red giant’s threats against nearby Taiwan.

“We are one of the weakest armed forces in the world. We are not capable of going to war. Para sa atin po kasi ang EDCA ay gyera dito sa Cagayan,” Mamba pointed out.

On Monday morning, a resolution from the league of mayors in Cagayan signed by 20 of the executives showing support in EDCA sites establishment was released, however, one mayor attended the peace rally, Camalaniugan Mayor Isidro Cabaddu, who withdrew his support and opposed the EDCA sites.

Out of the 28 towns, 19 signed the resolution but the governor said that some mayors who have signed are now reaching out for withdrawal of support to EDCA.

“This is not choosing between China or America. Wala tayong pinipili. This is to avoid the impending war of China and America or other nations,” the governor added.

During the press conference, consultants of the provincial government, stakeholders, religious groups and members of the academes are set to conduct again another peace rally in the two other districts of the province.

Clarita Lunas, retired regional supervisor from the Department of Education and a provincial consultant on education, said that their group who initiated the peace rally will go to the barangay level to educate the constituents on the possible outcome of putting EDCA sites here in Cagayan.

“One thing that was not done is to consult Cagayan about the EDCA sites,” she said.

With the information-drive, they expect the public to understand the situation of Cagayan.

“None of us here knows war that is why I made a stand. Ang gyerang yan ay para sa America. I was born in Cagayan. I was raised in Cagayan. I will die in Cagayan. Tayo po ang magsasabi kung saan pupunta ang Cagayan,” Mamba said during the event.