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MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and the Unites States have no written agreement yet on four new sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), senators learned on Wednesday.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on foreign relations, panel head Senator Imee Marcos pressed topped foreign and defense officials to disclose details about the new Edca locations identified by Malacanang last month.
Marcos noted that as early as February, Philippines and US officials were discussing about the new locations but lamented that until now it could not furnish the committee a copy of the terms of reference (TOR).
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reiterated that the two parties have yet to discuss the TOR of the new sites while Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. cited an existing standard operating procedures (SOP) under the Edca as basis of the additional locations.
When Marcos asked for a specific document, Galvez answered that the SOP is a document though it would still require “further legal basis.”
“You are therefore telling us that we are adding sites without any document in hand,” the senator said.
Manalo explained that under Edca, the agreed locations may be listed in an annex to be appended to the agreement.
“Before they are listed in the annex, it would have to be subject to an exchange of notes between the Philippines and the United states,” the Department of Foreign Affairs chief said.
The Philippines, he said, is still discussing the substance of the exchange of notes with the US.
“But once we agree on the exchange of notes on the new sites that would then be included in the annex on the new sites,” Manalo further explained.
This explanation has baffled Marcos.
“Despite the many announcements, we’ve not agreed or have we agreed? We’ve agreed in sentiment and in principle is that correct but we’ve not agreed in writing therefore it’s not binding?” the senator asked.
Manalo reiterated that once the two parties agree on the exchange of notes, then it would be reflected in the annex of the agreement.
“As far as the four new sites are concerned, there’s no written agreement contained in an annex of the Edca,” Marcos then pointed out.
“Yes, Madam chair,” Manalo answered.
At present, he said, there are no activities in the new Edca locations pending the approval of an exchange of notes between the Philippines and the US.