“You can never describe the Aquino administration as beholden to the United States,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a televised press conference when asked by a member of the Malacañang press corps.
He said the government was not beholden nor will it be beholden now that the EDCA, which allows US forces’ access to Philippine military facilities, was finalized.
“There is a recognition that both countries will mutually benefit from this agreement,” Lacierda pointed out.
The Philippines and the US signed the EDCA on Monday, hours before US President Barack Obama arrived in Manila for his first state visit to the country.
The Presidential spokesperson said upgrading the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capabilities is necessary to engage in mutual assistance.
“How can we do mutual assistance when one side is not up to par with the other side? So we need to improve the level of capabilities insofar as where we are lacking,” he said.
No such thing
Lacierda reiterated that the US will not reclaim or establish bases in the country.
“The principles in our Constitution regarding bases, regarding nuclear weapons—the prohibition of nuclear weapons—are evident in the provisions of the EDCA,” he said. “There is no such thing.”
Instead, the US will have access to AFP-owned and –controlled facilities at the invitation of the Philippine government, he added.
Resolution of disputes
One contentious part of the EDCA is the resolution of disputes. It prohibits the involvement of a third party such as an international court, unless agreed upon by the two parties.
But Lacierda said there is “a determined effort to do resolution—conflict resolution within the two parties.”
He added that “the mechanism to approach a third party is not entirely eliminated.”
Asked what will happen if a US soldier commits a crime, as in the Subic rape case, Lacierda explained that the EDCA has no jurisdiction over criminal cases.
He said it is the VFA that deals with acts committed by US personnel.
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