The governors of Cagayan and Isabela provinces in northern Luzon, which are candidate sites for the construction of US military facilities based on the Philippine-U.S. Enhanced Defense Capability Agreement (EDCA), to which four facilities will be added in February, have expressed concerns. “The EDCA facility will not only strengthen the defense capabilities of both states, but also grow the economy,” US Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Kay Carlson said in an exclusive interview with GMA, a major civil law firm, broadcast on the 11th. “It’s an important factor in keeping the waterways free and open,” he said of the scheduled resumption of joint US-Philippines patrols. In response, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian issued a statement on the 12th, stating, “It is clear that the United States intends to contain China.”
Ambassador Huang said, “The US is trying to upgrade its military cooperation with the Philippines by building more EDCA bases and sending troops in order to maintain its hegemony and selfish geopolitical interests. The U.S. claims that this kind of military cooperation is for ‘disaster relief purposes,’ and several U.S. officials have even touted it as ‘a driving force for regional economic development.'”
“It is clear that these moves are part of the United States’ attempt to encircle and contain China,” it said. “Being included in the tank fleet of geopolitical struggle seriously harms Philippine national interests and jeopardizes peace and stability in the region,” it warned.
▽ No need to invite the brat general
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Ambassador Huang said, “I have no objection to the freedom of navigation,” but added, “When the United States talks about ‘free and open sea routes,’ what the United States has in mind is ‘US warships rampaging in the South China Sea.’ It’s the freedom to go around,'” he said. “U.S. forces come all the way from the other side of the Pacific to form alliances with other regional allies and stir up trouble in the South China Sea. Through these actions, the U.S. has not only heightened tensions in the region, but also sought to safeguard peace and stability. It is also disturbing the joint efforts of the region.”
“China and the Philippines should maintain good neighborly relations and share common interests, rather than being swept away by ‘powers that are kindling fires and driving a wedge between our two countries,'” he said. We will not invite people to the area,” he said.
In addition, Ambassador Huang said, “Not only the governors of Cagayan and Isabela, but also former President Duterte expressed concern about the expansion of EDCA facilities in a TV interview, and at a public hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, senators and local government officials , Legal experts have expressed their concerns.Think tanks, academics and NGOs have also voiced their opposition.”
“Foresighted Filipinos have questions”: (1) Should new facilities be built in Isabela and Cagayan provinces, which are close to Taiwan? (2) Are the new EDCA facilities really intended for disaster relief? Is it really in the Philippine national interest to be involved in the United States, which is the Philippine government?
After announcing the decision to expand the EDCA facilities, Governor Mamba of Cagayan said, “Foreign forces and foreign bases are magnets for attacks. I don’t mind fighting and dying for my own people, but why should I die for foreign wars?” Shouldn’t it be?”, showing an attitude of not accepting the establishment of the facility. (Tomoaki Takeshita)
