Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., expressed hope that like the lawmakers who supported the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), local chief executives and residents whose areas may serve as additional locations may be as forthcoming.
“It is our fervent hope that our LGUs will also realize that the EDCA is not just about security,” Galvez said in a statement.
Galvez also said that the localities will enjoy a potential economic boom with the EDCA.
“We enjoin them to look into the potential foreign investments and economic development that EDCA sites will bring to their communities as well as the enhancement of the protection of our areas that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the quicker disaster response and mitigation if our front-liners are called to action,” he said.
Galvez made the remark after his recent meetings with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Senators Francis Tolentino, Francis Escudero, and Sherwin Gatchalian.
He said that the lawmaker shared their favorable sentiments on these developments in our defense and security policy.
“On behalf of the Department of National Defense, I sincerely thank our lawmakers for expressing their support for EDCA and the resumption of joint PH-US maritime patrols,” Galvez said.
Quoting Sen. Tolentino, Galvez said the solon expressed “favor” of the defense/security cooperation ‘upgrades’ “with reliable allies like the United States, considering the evolving regional conditions and challenges, so long as this is anchored on solid constitutional foundations and for the greater interests of the nation and EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) is evidently a good model.”
Sen. Escudero for his part was said to be claiming that the US has been the Philippines’ security ally since the late 1940s and “there is no reason not to continue that and what the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.) saw as in the interest of our country, being the chief architect of our foreign policy.”
He also emphasized that joint patrols would help reduce encroachments and acts of harassment in the area.
Sen. Gatchalian, Galvez said, shared that joint patrols and other cooperative military activities with the US would enhance military interoperability between the two countries.
“And this is not only about combat, one huge aspect is disaster preparedness. Our country is often hit by disasters and we all know the US is well equipped for such situations,” Gathchalian was quoted as saying.
“It is the DND’s mandate to secure and defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights such as the freedom of our people to fish in our own waters,” Galvez said.
Galvez added that the Philippines shares the vision of like-minded nations in ensuring freedom of navigation and a peaceful, stable and free Indopacific.
“As a member of the international community, we have a responsibility to protect the global commons in order to prevent humanity from constricting itself by ensuring that vital Sea Lines of Communications are kept open,” Galvez said.
“We must also promote responsible stewardship over our marine resources which are being threatened by overfishing and manmade ecological degradation,” he added.
The DND chief said that the endeavors being undertaken “are consistent with the President’s foreign policy of being a friend to everyone and enemy to no one.”
“It is truly encouraging that our distinguished Senators are aware of the importance of EDCA and joint maritime patrols to our national interest. I thank them again for their support,” Galvez said.
CurrentPH News Service
