AFP chief to lawmakers: Wait for SC ruling on EDCA

MANILA, Philippines – New Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gregorio Catapang Jr cautioned against ‘jumping the gun’ on the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the United States and the Philippines.

“We still have to find out if it’s unconstitutional. We cannot jump the gun. Let’s see if it will be declared unconstitutional,” Catapang said on Thursday, July 24, when sought for comment.

General Catapang was reacting to the 67-page impeachment complaint filed against President Benigno Aquino III over the military agreement. 

“This is a free country. You can talk and you can file cases. Hopefully, it will be decided by the Supreme Court. We will just await,” Catapang added.

The complaint was endorsed by Gabriela Representative Emmi de Jesus and ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio of the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.

It argues that the President violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust because he approved an agreement that they say “surrendered national sovereignity and compromised our territorial integrity.”

Complainants cited the constitutional ban on the presence of foreign troops and bases, as well as the use and entry of war materials.

Lawmakers have raised issues against EDCA, too, saying that the deal more closely resembles a treaty, which requires the ratification of the Senate.

The Supreme Court has yet to release its decision on the matter.

It’s the third valid impeachment complaint against President Aquino separately endorsed by Makabayan lawmakers. The first two complaints were based on the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which was already declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. (READ: Filed: First valid impeachment complaint vs Aquino and Youth groups file 2nd impeachment raps vs Aquino)

‘EDCA implementation is urgent’

The military chief stressed that delays in the implementation of EDCA means delaying the assistance that the US is offering the Philippines for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) and territorial defense.

“If (EDCA) is delayed, we cannot immediately respond to strong typhoons that will hit the country.” Catapang said. “We want to preposition HADR equipment, airplanes and boats. It will have a huge impact if we cannot immediately accept offers of assistance,” he added. 

EDCA also expands existing cooperation arrangements between the Phiilppines and US militaries through the construction or upgrade of military facilities, and storage and prepositioning of defense equipment and supplies in “agreed locations.”

The Philippines and the US have yet to agree on the military bases that will be offered to the American troops.

“We will still meet. The MDB-SEB (Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board) will meet and then we will identify the areas that we can offer to them,” Catapang said when asked about the status of EDCA’s implementation.

As AFP chief, Catapang is the co-chairman of the MDB-SEB. He said he supports the recommendation of his predecessor, General Emmanuel Bautista, to offer the naval outpost in Palawan’s Oyster Bay, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, and Subic Bay in Zambales.

Catapang assumes the post as the Philippine military shifts its focus from internal defense to external defense. In his speech before Navy officers on July 24, Catapang recognized that the Navy will play a key role in the future of the military.

“The Navy will be a strong muscle that our country will count on to protect our people and the state,” Catapang said. – Rappler.com