Bayan opposes US defense chief’s visit to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan has expressed its opposition to the upcoming visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and plans to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the Philippines.

In a statement, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said his group views the EDCA’s implementation as “the return of US bases in our country, a means to allow the indefinite stationing of US troops in the Philippines.”

“This is a throwback to the Cold War era where countries like the Philippines were used for US wars of aggression in Asia. It is a gross violation of our national sovereignty,” he said.

The group issued the statement as the US Department of Defense confirmed that Austin will depart on Jan. 29 for a trip to South Korea and the Philippines to meet with senior government and military leaders in both countries.

The US defense department said the visit aims “to advance regional stability and further strengthen the defense partnerships with the United States.”

Signed in April 2014 under former president Benigno Aquino III’s administration, the EDCA gives US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, right to construct facilities and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.

The EDCA, which falls within the scope of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), however prohibits the US from establishing permanent bases in the Philippines as it would violate the Philippine Constitution.

“We do not need EDCA and these new US bases. US military presence will not deter China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea. This new agreement, like all previous defense agreements with the US, will not lead to the modernization of the AFP as there is nothing in the pact which says there will be transfer of equipment from the US to the Philippines,” Reyes said.

He noted that Article III, Section 3 of the EDCA states that “US forces shall have access to agreed locations without rental or similar costs, which means that they can use the Philippine military’s facilities for free.”

The use by US troops of utilities such as water and electricity, including radio frequencies is also tax-exempt under Article VII, Section 1 of EDCA, he said.

“In a time of great economic crisis and rising public debt, why are we giving these perks to the US? Why are Filipino taxpayers footing the bill for US intervention in the region?” Reyes said.