Developing the country’s defense capabilities through bilateral efforts with allies such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with United States is meant to deter security threats and not to engage war or interfere with the domestic affairs of other nations.

This was emphasized by Department of National Defense Officer in Charge (DND-OIC) Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. after Senator Imee Marcos questioned the proposed establishment of additional EDCA sites by the DND and US Department of Defense (DoD).

“The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day. Our projects under EDCA and our other defense partnerships are not intended for aggression. We are not preparing for war, rather we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security,” Galvez said.

The DND and US-DoD announced last month that four additional sites will be built within the camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to expedite the implementation of EDCA. These would be on top of five locations that were initially established by the two defense establishments.

American troops and assets can be prepositioned on a rotation basis at the EDCA sites for future military trainings with the AFP, as well as to conduct joint humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations during times of disasters or natural calamities.

Although there is no final announcement yet on the location of the additional sites, among the target areas include Cagayan, Palawan, Zambales, and Isabela.

In a Senate event last Wednesday where defense officials briefed lawmakers on the status of EDCA, Marcos pointed out that some of the proposed EDCA sites are situated in Northern Luzon which is facing Taiwan. 

Marcos then asked if the establishment of the EDCA locations is a preparation in case tension between US and China escalates over the Taiwan Strait. She noted that some local chief executives from concerned provinces are opposing the establishment of such sites within their jurisdiction since they may be caught in the line of fire in case war breaks between Washington and Beijing.

Galvez wasn’t given a chance to explain as he was quickly cut off by the lawmaker.

But in a statement released to the media, Galvez clarified that the establishment of more EDCA sites is integral to the modernization efforts of the AFP and to speed up its shift from internal security operation to external defense. 

“We are shifting our focus towards territorial defense, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became the Commander in Chief last year, the country has gotten closer to the US, a traditional ally, which is a complete opposite of the pro-China foreign policy of the previous Duterte administration.

All of this happens as China continues its aggression in the WPS and Galvez sees the use of EDCA as a means to defend the country “against invasion.”

He explained that the DND aims to achieve an optimal number and locations of EDCA sites “to maximize coverage of the Philippine archipelago.”

“We understand the apprehensions expressed by our local chief executives about EDCA and our bilateral exercises. However, we must consider the volatile situation in which we operate and not view our own country in isolation,” the Defense OIC noted.

“The Philippines straddles a crucial location in the Pacific, and we have seaboards to the north, south, east, and west. All of these must be monitored and protected,” he added.