By Vann Marlo M. Villegas FOLLOWING PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s threat of junking the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States (US), Sen. Richard Gordon warned the administration that pulling away from the agreement now could put the Philippines in a bad situation. Gordon claimed that losing EDCA would favor China as it could have the chance to take control of the disputed West Philippine Sea. "Kung ‘yung statement ni President Duterte mapakinggan ng ibang bansa, hihina ang America at ‘yung ibang bansa baka lilipat sa China,” Gordon said in a statement last Oct. 7.
During his speech in Bacolod City last Oct. 2, the president pointed out that EDCA was not signed by former president Benigno Aquino III and that US forces might be asked to leave the country. Under EDCA, US troops were allowed to navigate through the country and conduct joint military exercises with the Philippine military forces. Humanitarian aid and disaster management were also given focus. “Lalong magkakaroon ng delikadong sitwasyon dito—lalakas ang China at hihina ang impluwensya ng Amerika dito sa Asya. Lalakas ang loob ng China na pwede na silang manapak dito dahil alam nilang kumakampi sa kanila ang ibang bansa,” Gordon said. The senator added that it will be a “red line” for the Philippines once China stepped on the Scarborough Shoals. Last July 12, the United Nations Arbitration Tribunal turned the tables for China when it invalidated the country’s nine-dash line and “historic” claims over the West Philippine Sea. The Tribunal said China violated the sovereignty of the Philippines by building artificial islands that intruded Philippine fishing grounds, and failing to stop Chinese fishermen from fishing in areas covered by the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Duterte has since threatened he would seek partnership with China and Russia after US President Barack Obama criticized the administration for its alleged human rights violations related to its anti-illegal drug campaign. EDCA was signed by Former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg in April 2014. E
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