INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
The military on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court’s final decision upholding the legality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).
“Finally, all qualms and doubts on the Edca can be laid to rest, and discussions of its full implementation can be done confident in the thought that there are no longer any legal impediments,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.
READ: SC upholds constitutionality of Edca
Two weeks ago, during his first sit-down interview with the media fresh after the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea dispute with China, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said under his watch, the Department of National Defense (DND) will continue to pursue the Edca.
“All existing agreements that have been signed before, we will honor them,” Lorenzana had said.
READ: It’s final: Edca constitutional; petitions vs SC ruling junked
“Actually the Edca was offshoot of some events here in the area [disputed waters], including terrorism there, because we need the American support also to fight terrorism in the south [Philippines]. That’s why we have the Edca, not just for the West Philippine Sea, so we will honor that,” Lorenzana had said. RAM