Edca violates PH sovereignty, ‘pure hypocrisy’—militant groups

MILITANT groups on Tuesday blasted the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the legality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the Philippines and the United States, saying that it was a violation of Philippine sovereignty.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Renato Reyes said petitioners, which included militant lawmakers, would try to appeal the decision, especially that it was not unanimous.

“This is another sad day for Philippine sovereignty as the SC upheld the validity of the Edca. We shall immediately consult with our lawyers regarding a possible motion for reconsideration,” Reyes said in a statement.

READ: Supreme Court upholds legality of Edca

In a 10-4 vote, the high court on Tuesday ruled that the Edca was an executive agreement and not a treaty.

Despite the ruling, Reyes said they would continue to “expose and oppose” the supposed intervention of the US military in the Philippines.

“We maintain that the Edca is not the solution to the problem of China’s incursions, not when the Edca also violates PH sovereignty. The Filipino people must now resolutely oppose the return of US bases and all the social ills associated with these bases,” he added.

Echoing Bayan’s rage, women’s group Gabriela said the Edca marked a “big blow” for Philippine sovereignty, adding that it was “pure hypocrisy” to find nothing wrong with the rebuilding of US bases in the country amid territorial disputes with China.

“It is pure hypocrisy to wish to defend the country from Chinese incursion while finding nothing wrong with the US rebuilding its bases in the country through Edca,” Gabriela Secretary-General Joms Salvador said in a statement.

“Despite the SC’s decision, or more so because of it, the battle is far from over. GABRIELA will continue to oppose increasing US military presence in the Philippines and step up the campaign against violence on women and children in areas where US troops will set up its ‘rotational forces’ a.k.a. military bases,” Salvador added.

Looking back, Edca was signed in time for the state visit of US President Barack Obama on April 28, 2014. Petitioners have argued that several provisions of the agreement were unconstitutional, including the ban on foreign military bases and facilities without Senate concurrence.

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