Philippines & US honor military pact despite China’s opposition

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the EDCA is crucial to the country’s security and that the Philippines needs the support of the US military in the face of increasing threats from China. “The EDCA is our primary security instrument, which allows us to enhance our defense capability and better protect our country and our people,” he said.

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China has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the EDCA, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and an attempt by the US to encircle China. However, the Philippines has maintained that the agreement is not directed against any country and is purely for the country’s defense.

The EDCA was put in limbo in 2020 after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he was terminating the agreement. However, the termination was suspended for six months, and in June 2021, Duterte decided to keep the agreement in place.

The EDCA has been seen as a vital tool in the US strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the region. The US has been increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, and the EDCA allows the US military to conduct joint military exercises with the Philippine military and to have access to Philippine military bases.

The Philippines has been seeking closer ties with China in recent years, but the EDCA issue has been a sticking point in the relationship. The Philippines’ decision to maintain the EDCA is likely to strain its relationship with China further.

The EDCA is set to expire in 2024, but the military pact can be extended upon mutual agreement between the Philippines and the US.