Sad day for PH sovereignty, environment – Activists

MANILA, Philippines – Activist groups were not pleased with the Supreme Court’s (SC) favorable ruling on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) on Tuesday, January 12. 

The SC voted 10-4 for the constitutionality of the EDCA. 

Groups like Gabriela and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) disagreed with the SC ruling. 

“This is another sad day for Philippine sovereignty as the SC upheld the validity of the EDCA,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, a petitioner against EDCA, said in a Facebook post.

“The decision will pave the way for the construction of new US military facilities in different parts of the country. It likewise paves the way for the use by US troops of existing PH military facilities, rent free and tax free.”

In reaction, Gabriela, a partylist advocating women’s rights in the Philippines, tweeted: “EDCA gives US unli (unlimited) access to PH facilities for war. Binubuyangyang na ang lahat at ngayon binabasbasan pa ito!“

(Everything is surrendered and now it even got the SC approval!)

EDCA gives US unli access to PH facilities for war. Binubuyangyang na ang lahat at ngayon binabasbasan pa ito! –@emmidejesus

— Gabriela WomensParty (@GabrielaWomenPL) January 12, 2016

The Supreme Court in declaring EDCA Constitutional has made PH a US military base, making us vulnerable to war. –@RepLuzIlagan @emmidejesus

— Gabriela WomensParty (@GabrielaWomenPL) January 12, 2016

 

Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) also condemned the decision, fearing that an increased presence of US troops “will consequently cause more destructive military exercises and maneuvering even within protected and environmentally critical areas, and more incidents of toxic waste dumping similar to what we have already experienced in the past.”

“Today is a very sad day for our country’s sovereignty and environment,” said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE.

US to help PH?

But other netizens welcomed the ruling saying it would protect the country from external threats like China. They argued American military presence would deter further Chinese expansion into Philippine territory.

Facebook user McCoy Boiser commented: “GREAT!!! our seas will be guarded with the help of US. Thanks!!”

Tommy Lim, held the same sentiments saying “At this time we need all the help we can get.”

Ideally, the passing and approval of the EDCA and a PH-US military deal should help build up the PH armed forces, like it did for ROK.

— Juan Carlo Sarinas (@Real_JC_Sarinas) January 12, 2016

How come people view EDCA as oppressive? Was it oppressive when AFP can have access to the modern warfares of the US?

— Frederick Cavite  (@frederickoracle) January 12, 2016

 

Contentious agreement

The defense deal has been a contentious issue covering matters from national sovereignty to gender rights.

The decision comes with the ongoing maritime dispute with China. Those in favor claim US presence strengthens the Philippines’ claim to its territory.

Retired Admiral Samuel Locklear, former chief of the US Pacific Command, pressed for the agreement in December 2015. He argued it would bring much needed security for the Philippines, whose forces he said had “a way to go” before they could fully defend the territory.

One netizen, Frederick Cavite posted a tweet along the same lines:

Can we accept the fact that our nation is weak when it comes to defense? And we badly need the US on our side with the help of EDCA?

— Frederick Cavite  (@frederickoracle) January 12, 2016

For Reyes, however, the security the EDCA seemingly guarantees comes at the price of national sovereignty. He said: “We recognize that we have to stand up vs China’s incursions and island-grabbing but the EDCA is not the solution as it is also a violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“Neither will the EDCA lead to AFP modernization, much the same way that the 1947 US Bases Agreement did not develop our armed forces,” Reyes added.

Tweets from user @clamille and @jomsgab lamented what she saw as a threat to national sovereignty.

EDCA, EDCA. Pilipinas, malaya ka ba talaga?

— Clamille (@Clammae) January 12, 2016

The hypocrisy of wishing to defend PH from Chinese incursion but finding nothing wrong with US rebuilding military bases in PH thru #EDCA

— Joms Salvador (@jomsgab) January 12, 2016

After Jennifer Laude’s death at the hands of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, the EDCA brought in gender issues. Pemberton was found guilty in 2015 (READ: Killing of Jennier Laude a ‘hate crime’ – police report)

Representative Luz Ilagan of Gabriela said the ruling allowed the rape of the country and its women and children.

In allowing EDCA, the SC allowed the rape of PH territory, resources and the rape of our women and children.

— Rep. Luz Ilagan (@RepLuzIlagan) January 12, 2016

Humor

Other netizens took to jokes, particularly those referring to Miss Universe 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach’s answer during the Q&A portion.

Asked if she thought the United States should have bases in the Philippines, Wurtzbach answered: “I think that the US and the Philippines have always had a good relationship with each other. We’ve been colonized by the Americans and we have their culture in our traditions even up to this day. The Philippines is very welcoming with the Americans and I don’t see any problem with that at all.”

SC favors Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach’s stand on EDCA. Lels. XD

— Arnie Birds (@arniebirds) January 12, 2016

Supreme Court: EDCA is constitutional. Pia Wurtzbach: I don’t see any problem with that at all.

— Chan Kidskids (@chankidskids) January 12, 2016

What do you think of the EDCA ruling? Write about it on X! – Bea Orante/Rappler.com