US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)

[Ayoshi]

SC rules with finality: EDCA constitutional | Philstar -  Updated July 27, 2016

In a session coinciding with the day US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the country for a two-day visit, the SC justices voted 9-4 to deny the appeals filed by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and militant lawmakers led by Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate.

The high court, citing a lack of new arguments, instead affirmed its January decision finding the EDCA not constitutionally infirm as alleged by the petitioners.

Malacañang lauded the SC decision and expressed optimism it would further improve Philippine-US military relations.

From rappler: Full Text: Supreme Court's decision on EDCA (SC's 118-page decision)

[Ayoshi]

Angry Duterte threatens to end Edca | Inquirer.net - October 3rd, 2016

Mr. Duterte announced his administration was reviewing the Edca. He noted that while it was an official document, it was just an executive agreement since it was not signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
The Edca, which was signed in 2014 but was not implemented until the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in January, was signed only by former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and a US aide, he said.

“Better think twice now because I would be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether,” the President said to the US government. That is, if the US would be “unable to produce the signature bearing the permit to conduct war games.”

US dismisses Duterte's EDCA statement | philstar - October 4, 2016

Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Davis stressed that the alliance between the two countries remains stable despite the president's recent pronouncements.

"In as much as our alliance with the Philippines is concerned, it's very much solid and stable and secure and on track," Davis said.

[adroth]

Pentagon downplays Duterte's threat to scrap EDCA
Agence France-Presse

Posted at Oct 04 2016 03:54 PM

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/04/16/pentagon-downplays-dutertes-threat-to-scrap-edca

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon on Monday downplayed comments from Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, after he threatened to cancel a defense accord with the United States.

Duterte on Sunday said he might scrap the treaty, known as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), that went into force in January.

That agreement, sealed under the administration of Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, allows US forces access to five Philippine bases to help counterbalance a growing Chinese presence in the South China Sea.

"This EDCA is an official document... but it does not bear the signature of the president of the republic," Duterte said.

"Better think twice now because I will be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether," he added.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the military was aware of Duterte's comments.

But "it hasn't really so much translated into tangible actions that we've seen with regards to our actions under the alliance," he said.

"In as much as our alliance with the Philippines is concerned, it's very much solid and stable and secure and on track," he added, pointing to continued cooperation in military exercises and assistance with counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines.

< Edited >

[12th BCT]

While EDCA is constitutional and legal, the President of the Philippines can initiate the termination of the agreement.

And, the US should bear notice that it should start treating the Philippines as a co-equal partner and ally. While we have Major Non NATO Ally status, this has not translated into more substantial, modern equipment and its subsequent training regimen.

And please, let's stop raising and waving the "You gotta spend - you gotta show blah-blah" again.

I have several words I can wave right back. Pakistan being one.

While the Acquisition process admittedly needs revamping and institutionalized once the process improvements are in place, that has never stopped the US from enacting the numerous "PEACE" Programs with other allies.

[Ayoshi]

US happy with EDCA, working with Philippines for implementation | philstar - October 6, 2016

WASHINGTON – The United States is not making any changes to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines and will work with the Duterte administration to implement it, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.

< snipped >

Cook said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had good and productive talks with his Filipino counterpart Delfin Lorenzana in Hawaii last week about the continuation of the two countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty, in effect since 1951.

Washington has said it will continue to meet its commitments to the alliance.

[Ayoshi]

ANC Live: Duterte to US: Forget EDCA 'if I stay longer'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmfZfR4G8J4

[Ayoshi]

EDCA: US set to build facilities in 3 PH military bases | rappler

Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte, who had threatened to scrap the deal, is aware of the plans. "Ang sabi naman niya (What he said was), 'We will honor all agreement that were entered into by the previous government. So okay sa kaniya 'yun (with him)," he said.

Lorenzana said the US is keen to prioritize construction of facilities at the Basa Air Base in Pampanga in Central Luzon.

Next will be the Bautista Air Base in Palawan and the old Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro that is expected to be transformed into a military air base.

Lorenzana said the US is expected to improve the runway and put up facilities for its troops. "Mga imbakan ng gamit nila kung nandito sila (They need storage facilities for their equipment), but they can leave the building (with us when they leave)," he said.

These are 3 of the 5 EDCA locations previously identified by the military. The other two are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, and the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

EDCA was negotiated as the Philippines, under the previous Aquino administration, sought US assistance in defending its maritime territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).