Militant group: Defense pact a one-sided affair
President Barack Obama, left, and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III participate in a bilateral meeting at Malacanang Palace in Manila, the Philippines, Monday, April 28, 2014. Obama said a 10-year agreement signed Monday to give the U.S. military greater access to Philippine bases will help promote regional security, improve armed forces training and shorten response times to humanitarian crises, including natural disasters. AP
MANILA, Philippines—Militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno on Tuesday said that even Pres. Barack Obama has made it clear that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States is a one-sided affair.
“Obama’s statements make it clear that the US will stand to gain while the Philippines will stand to lose from the EDCA, as the agreement means no less than the country’s re-occupation, not defense, by the US,” KMU Chairperson Bong Labog said in a statement.
Labog said that Aquino must not make it appear in his declarations that the US will defend the Philippines because this is not the former’s true intent.
“It is clear from Obama’s statement that the US is engaged in the dual policy of cooperation and containment towards China not for the Philippines’ sake, but in order to advance US geopolitical interests in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Labog said that KMU will hold a protest on Thursday, Labor Day, to show its disapproval of the EDCA and call for its junking.
Article continues after this advertisementOn Monday, the Philippines and the US inked the EDCA, just a few hours before Obama arrived in the country, the last stop in his four-nation Asian tour seen as an effort for the US to reassert its influence in the region amid China’s growing might.
Article continues after this advertisementJust a few hours before ending his working visit in the country, Obama reiterated the alliance between the Philippines and the US, saying that US’ commitment to the Philippines is “ironclad.” Coleen Aira Barnachea
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