High court vote vindicates me, says Trillanes

Senator Antonio Trillanes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

SEN. ANTONIO Trillanes IV felt vindicated.

“The Supreme Court ruling validated my vote against the Senate resolution saying the Edca (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) needed to be ratified by the Senate,” Trillanes told reporters.

The Philippines now has the chance to take advantage of the security opportunities being offered by the Edca, he said.

Trillanes cast the lone vote against the Senate resolution filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who contended that the Edca needed to be ratified by the Senate. Fourteen senators, including Santiago, adopted the resolution in November last year.

“With this development that builds upon our mutual defense treaty, we look forward to advancing our defense modernization, and strengthening maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities,” said Department of National Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez.

Gen. Hernando Iriberri, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the ruling “bodes well for deepening defense cooperation with a key ally.”

He said the Edca would help “maintain maritime security and maritime domain awareness, and develop humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities” in the face of an increasingly aggressive Chinese moves to enforce its claim to the entire South China Sea.

“These will redound to improving our capacity to perform our mandate to protect our people and secure the state,” Iriberri said.

The US Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hailed the ruling.

“The Edca is a mutually beneficial agreement that will enhance our ability to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and help build capacity for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the embassy said. “We look forward to working closely with our Philippine partners on the implementation of this agreement.”

The DFA spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, said that with the ruling “the Philippine and the US governments can now proceed in finalizing the arrangement for its full implementation.”

The decision was issued as Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario were in the United States to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.

The high-level talks in Washington are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues including defense and security cooperation and significant developments in the economic engagement of the two countries.

The agenda will also cover regional and global issues that impact on both countries, in particular, the recent developments in the South China Sea, the upcoming Special Asean-US Summit in California, and cooperation on climate change, the DFA said.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino hailed the court decision as a boon to the local economy. “We’re hoping that the US troops will be allowed to have their liberty (rest and recreation) activities in Olongapo City,” he said.

‘Biggest magnet’

A senatorial aspirant, Rep. Neri Colmenares, said the court had made the country a “bigger magnet” for attacks by US enemies.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said the Supreme Court missed a historic opportunity to defend the country’s sovereignty.

“The decision will set the stage for the return of the US bases in the country, albeit disguised as Philippine bases under US control and supervision,” Ridon said.

Said activist Renato Reyes: “This is another sad day for Philippine sovereignty. We maintain that the Edca is not the solution to the problems of China’s incursions.” Reports from Christine O. Avendaño, Julie M. Aurelio, Niña Calleja and Gil C. Cabacungan in Manila; and Allan Macatuno and Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon