FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte does not want Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) bases in Davao City.
“[If US will build Edca bases in] Davao, hanggang buhay ako, hindi ako papayag (Until I am alive, I will not allow them),” Duterte said during the Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa television program, June 26.
Edca is an agreement between the United States (US) and the Philippines, allowing the US to send troops into the Philippines and have the United States build and operate facilities on Philippine bases for both American and Philippine forces.
“Magpunta kayo, maglagay kayo ng fence or improve a place to build bases, maski gusto ng gobyerno, pupuntuhan ko talaga kayo doon sasabihin ko ‘Ayaw ko’ (Even if you will build bases with government’s permission, I will go to your bases and tell you that ‘I don’t want them’),” Duterte, who also served as mayor of Davao City spanning two decades, said.
He also said he will not welcome “this disaster”, referring to a “possibility of a Chinese-American war”, in which he said the Philippines might be a battleground if such a thing might happen.
“Kung kayo ang kalaban, ang problema pati ako madadale (If you will go to war against each other, I will be at risk as well),” Duterte said.
Duterte, a known critic of Edca during his time as a president, said the US might “bring nuclear warheads” to its military installations in the country among the Edca bases.
He urged the current administration and the US government to inform the Filipino people about the intricacies involving US military bases under Edca.
Duterte also said the Filipinos, whether being a Christian, Muslim, or a part of indigenous people must be informed of what “bet” is being placed here in expanding Edca bases in the country.
In a report from Philippine News Agency, the Edca four sites, which was announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last April, included the Naval base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
Department of National Defense (DND) chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said the chosen areas were determined to be the most vulnerable in terms of the country's maritime security, as well as maritime interest in Benham rise and the West Philippine Sea.
Reportedly, the locations are intended to “intensify the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in strengthening the country's defense and security as well as humanitarian and relief operations”.
Meanwhile, Duterte also asked China, which he calls “a friend”, to reconsider “a thousand times” before going to war against the US.
Duterte believes “the country might be a graveyard if war comes”, as he also believes China “might attack American bases” first.
“Kung darating ang panahon na talagang magka-giyera, uunahin ng China ang (If time comes that war will come, China will first attack) American bases... where are the American bases? they are here in the Philippines,” Duterte said.
The former president also said he hopes he is ready to be “crucified” if his predictions are wrong.
“Wala akong kinakampihan o ano, Pilipino ako, hanggang diyan ako (I do not have any bias or anything, I am Filipino, that's where I stand), I am not a Chinese, I am not an American, I don’t favor one over the other, in my estimation, is a magkaibigan tayo (we are friends) both sides,” Duterte said. ICE with reports from PNA