Bishop urges gov't to bare EDCA details

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday called on the Aquino administration to be transparent and make public the details of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US government.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs chairman Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III should bare the contents of the controversial military agreement.

Bishop Pabillo also fears that the EDCA would usher in the return of the US military bases in the country.

"Alam ba natin yung buong pinirmahan nila? Kasi ang problema natin pinirmahan nila pero hindi natin alam kung ano ang laman nun. Dapat alam natin yan dahil walang Freedom of Information o FOI. Kaya nga...hindi natin alam na mga Filipino kung ano ang napagkasunduan doon," Bishop Pabillo said.

The prelate said that he supports the petition of former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tanada, asking the Supreme Court to declare null and void the EDCA.

Under the EDCA, US will be allowed to deploy more military troops to the country.