‘EDCA sites must conform to law’

MANILA, Philippines — Amid resistance to the designation of additional sites accessible to US forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has assured the public that the government “remains on the side of the law” but is ready to study the matter “if we have to.”

He issued the statement when asked if the Department of Justice would be issuing a legal opinion in the face of opposition to the designation of new locations, particularly from some local government units like in Cagayan as well as from militant groups.

“We will study everything. What I can say about (the concerns) is that we will be on the side of the law. What the law says, we will follow. Of course, the Constitution, the Constitution is important,” Remulla said.

Malacañang on April 3 named four new locations deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial” EDCA sites in the country: Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.

President Marcos earlier said the new EDCA locations were selected due to their susceptibility to natural disasters.

Meanwhile, the ongoing joint Philippine-US Balikatan exercises have stirred commerce and tourism in and around communities where the biggest ever iteration of the annual military drills is being held.

Residents of Crow Valley, Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac are now taking advantage of the ongoing Balikatan exercises to earn money at least for the next two weeks.

Food and souvenir and barbershops have sprung around the Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) where Filipino and American soldiers would be holding some of the activities for Balikatan.

Maj. Al Anthony Pueblas, commander of the 1st Civil Relations Group, said the Balikatan has provided livelihood opportunities to local residents.

“Most of us do not have jobs, which is why we are grateful of the Balikatan exercise taking place in our area, a source for our daily basic necessities, even temporarily,” said Diana Sarmiento, an owner of one of the 40 food stalls set up around CERAB.

Some residents maintained the military exercises are beneficial for community livelihood and national security.

“We feel safe and secured; we can see the exercise they are holding and the strong relationship between the two countries. The training that they are doing will surely make our military forces stronger,” Sherwin Capiral said.

Maita Claire Bartolome, Capas acting tourism officer in Tarlac, said Balikatan has not endangered local tourism contrary to apprehensions raised by some quarters.

“The Balikatan exercise did not hamper the ongoing tourism activities here in Tarlac; we are still in full operation, except that we set an early cut-off time,” she explained.

She also urged tourists, particularly those who wish to visit Mt. Pinatubo not to cancel their travel plans just because of the military drills.

The 2023 Balikatan exercises, the largest so far with over 17,600 Filipino and American soldiers participating, kicked off on April 11 and will run until April 28. — Artemio Dumlao