Gen. Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), went to Cagayan and Isabela provinces on Tuesday, April 18, to inspect three of the four proposed sites for the expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which are also being used as venues for the ongoing Exercise Balikatan.

(Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)

Centino first visited Lal-lo Airfield in Lal-lo, Cagayan where Balikatan field training exercises in Northern Luzon are being held. He was accompanied by Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NolCom).

“The CSAFP and his delegation were briefed on the ongoing projects in the airfield in line with its development as one of the agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement as a prime site for the AFP’s territorial defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts,” said Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office.

Centino also dropped by the Naval Base Camilo in Sta. Ana, Cagayan which serves as the home of the Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC) Marine Battalion Landing Team-10. 

He then proceeded to Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela to meet the men and women of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 5^th Infantry Division.

The Naval Base Camilo Osias and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz are among the proposed EDCA sites. The fourth EDCA site is located in Balabac Island, Palawan.

In a talk with the troops, Centino encouraged the personnel of NolCom to maximize the opportunities from the Balikatan drills and engagement with their counterparts from the US.

“It is important that we realize that if we work together with our friends and allies, we will be stronger. Therefore, make the most of these exercises,” he said.

Contingency plan

Centino’s visit to the three EDCA sites came days after the NolCom held a forum in Batanes with local government officials to present a “contingency plan” to the residents in case the province is caught in the middle of a heightened tension between China and US due to the establishment of the EDCA sites and the conduct of Balikatan.

The forum was held at the provincial capitol of Batanes last Monday, April 17, and attended by Batanes District Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., barangay chairpersons, municipal mayors, department heads, church leaders, and heads of various sectors in the province.

“During the forum, topics such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Batanes’ contingency plan for a possible influx of refugees if tensions between China and Taiwan escalate, as well as the NolCom AFP evacuation plan for Filipino repatriates were also discussed,” said Maj. Al Anthony Pueblas, acting chief of the NolCom public information office.

The NolCom allayed the fears of Batanes folks that they might be caught in a crossfire amid the increasing tension between China and US over the establishment of the EDCA sites in Northern Luzon close to Taiwan.

Rep. Gato also reaffirmed the province's support for Balikatan as he stressed the importance of strengthening the capabilities of the AFP so soldiers can "be prepared against serious threats to the integrity of our national territory."

Several drills will be held in Batanes from April 22 to 23 as part of the Balikatan including air assault operations exercise, non-standard maritime and free-fall infiltration, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) landing.

Last week, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian “advised” the Philippine government to refrain from supporting Taiwan if it cares genuinely about the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there. 

China is claiming that Taiwan is part of its territory but the US committed to defend the self-ruled island in case of an invasion. There are an estimated 150,000 OFWs living and working in Taiwan, according to the Chinese envoy.

He also raised alarm over the establishment of the EDCA sites, claiming that the US "intends to take advantage” of the Philippines to “interfere in the situation across the Taiwan Strait to serve its geopolitical goals, and advance its anti-China agenda at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large.”

But defense and security officials have reiterated that the establishment of EDCA sites is part of the strengthening of the AFP’s capabilities and not meant to attack any country.