THE Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg in Manila on April 28, 2014, has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The decision slaps down the Senate argument that the Edca is a treaty needing Senate approval, and is not under the powers of the Executive branch to enter into. The key to the decision was that the Edca is “not the instrument that allows US troops or facilities to enter as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has already done that,” citing its earlier ruling that upheld the validity of the VFA.
We have not been happy with the government’s policy of engagement about many issues with China in the last two years. The Aquino administration got off on the wrong foot with the dismal handling of the Luneta hostage killings, and, honestly, relations with China have deteriorated almost consistently since then.
We have said several times that the Philippines is being used as a pawn by both the US and China in their contentious foreign relations regarding this region of the world. The relationship between these two global powers is “complicated,” to say the least. It is about trade, military power, diplomatic influence and, certainly, about each country’s leader trying to show his people how strong he can be with the other side.
The ramifications of the Edca are critically important to the Philippines and need to be discussed soberly and thoughtfully, without special interests and personal agendas getting in the way.
While many people do believe that elected officials in government are far from being the brightest lights on the Christmas parol, even these potential dim bulbs are not traitors to the nation. However, the rhetoric coming from some quarters completely damages sensible dialogue.
We may still see a reversal or clarification of the Supreme Court decision at some point in the future with regard to the specifics of the deployment of US military forces in the country. That would be beneficial.
But to say this Edca is an attempt of the US with help from Filipino collaborators to recolonize the Philippines is just plain silly. To say that warmongers in Washington, D.C., as using the Philippines as a staging ground for the launching of World War III against China is childish.
On one side are those who are convinced that the Chinese want to invade and take over the Philippines and, therefore, we are desperate for US help. Likewise, there are those who are convinced this is all an American plot to make the Philippines its own.
Certainly, both the US and China would like the Philippines to move closer to their side. But this whole thing sounds like a story of two lovers fighting over the same person and each saying, “If I can’t have him/her, then nobody will.”
Perhaps, Spain will soon be weighing in on Philippine sovereignty, as well.
Image credits: JImbo Albano