Barbers appeals again for Edca site in Surigao del Norte

Representative Robert Ace Barbers PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has appealed again for the creation of an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) site in his hometown, as the country’s eastern seaboard can also be vulnerable to smugglers and foreign intruders.

Barbers said this on Thursday after reports that a submarine drone believed to be from China was recovered in waters off Masbate province — nine kilometers off the coast of San Pascual town.

According to Barbers, he and his brother, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, have been calling for the creation of an Edca site on the southeastern side of the country due to the possibility of these incidents.

“It is not far-fetched that China has long been conducting in-depth intel gathering inside Philippine waters, possibly including data about deuterium,” Barbers said in a statement, referring to deuterium — a hydrogen isotope commonly used in experimental fusion-type nuclear reactors.

“With the growing global race to find renewal sources of fuel or energy like deuterium, which reportedly is found abundant in the deep seas in the country’s eastern seaboard, it is not far-fetched that China also wanted to get a hand on it,” he added.

According to police reports, three fishermen found the drone last December 30, 2024.  The yellow drone, marked “HY-119”, was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities.

Police Regional Office – 5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the drone was not armed, but the reports listed “potential national security implications” as one significance of its recovery.

READ: West PH Sea: Philippines recovers suspected Chinese submarine drone 

Barbers also said that it might be prudent for the government not to put an Edca site within an economic zone like the Phividec Industrial Authority business complex in Misamis Oriental.

The lawmaker cited reports pointing to the possible creation of an Edca site inside the business complex.

“While I do not question the logic and wisdom behind the plan to put up an Edca naval site inside the Phividec facility, I think it would be prudent for us not to inter-mix the business complex with a military complex,” Barbers said.

Last March 19, Barbers stressed the need for an Edca site in their province, saying that while building a naval detachment in Aurora province is important to secure Benham Rise, the country’s defense establishment should also secure the southeastern seaboard.

According to the lawmaker, Surigao del Norte, like Aurora, is also a province that directly faces the country’s eastern waters and the Pacific Ocean — which means it can also face threats from drug smugglers and foreign intruders.

As of now, there are five military installations designated as Edca sites — Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro.

READ: Palace names four more Edca sites 

Then in April 2023, Malacañang named four new locations for the Edca — Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, both in Cagayan province; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela province; and Balabac, the southernmost island in Palawan.