Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers says the province is the perfect location for a new base under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). 

This, as Rep. Barbers along with his brother, Governor Lyndon Barbers publicly invited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States (US) military to inspect the province for possible consideration as an additional EDCA site. 

“Our province is situated on the Northeastern tip of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. Its deep waters can accomodate the huge naval ships of the United States. It has a distinct advantage as it is openly facing the Pacific Ocean yet has an outlet to the West Philippine Sea (WPS)," Rep. Barbers said in a statement Saturday, Sept. 16. 

The veteran congressman further spoke of the "strategic advantage" of having such base in his home province. 

"The ships can traverse the country from East to West and vice-versa without needing to circle around. This is a very strategic advantage. Military  presence will discourage any hostile activity and even posturing by foreign forces both civilian or otherwise," he said. 

Signed by the two governments on April 28, 2014, the EDCA allows the US to rotate troops into the Philippines for extended stays and allows the US to build and operate facilities on Philippine bases for both American and Philippine forces, according to Wikipedia. 

The existing five locations under EDCA are Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu; and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City. 

The Naval base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan, were announced as new EDCA sites by the Marcos administration last April. 

“Setting up an EDCA base would benefit not only the province but the whole eastern regions of the Visayas and Mindanao," Gov. Barbers said. 

"In times of calamities, aid can be delivered fast and wide. Immediate assistance and relief will prevent loss of countless lives and massive damage. Remember that our region is always under threat from nature’s wrath, be it super typhoons or strong earthquakes," noted the governor. 

“Best of all," Rep. Barbers added, "The people will warmly welcome the Americans, our long time friends and allies. Needless to say, establishment of an EDCA site in Surigao del Norte will surely spur economic prosperity to the region, to which the people will be happy about." 

"The mere presence of our armed forces and our allies will greatly enhance our confidence building measures. Our fisherfolks will have nothing to worry about being driven away by hostile forces within our own territory," he said.