Senators welcome EDCA expansion

(CNN) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — A number of senators have no problem with the expansion of US military presence in the country.

For Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the US has always been an ally when it comes to territorial disputes, and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) aims to boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) defense capabilities.

“While it is seen as directed at enhancing the PH-US security alliance, which is one of the longest military alliances in the world, I trust that whatever possible repercussions had been carefully studied by officials from the Executive,” Estrada said.

“From what I gathered, the EDCA sites are primarily earmarked for humanitarian assistance and disaster response facilities, and it’s part of the modernization efforts of the AFP, therefore it’s not directed toward any country,” he added.

Estrada also said the move is aligned with the president’s first state of the nation address, where he vowed to “chart an independent foreign policy with the national interest as a primordial guide.”

Although disagreeing with the EDCA, Senate Minority leader Koko Pimentel said he supports the practice of the nation’s sovereign power to enter into agreements.

“As a sovereign nation we are free to enter treaties and agreements which we believe are or will be good for us. Although I disagree with EDCA (the use of PH territory for basing of US personnel and/or supplies) I will uphold our power to enter into agreements as a sovereign nation,” Pimentel said.

CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report