Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday called the proximity of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites in Taiwan a “geographical accident,” stressing that these locations are chosen with the country’s national interest in mind.
“You know what, if its proximity to Taiwan [which] is a geographical accident and other people are paranoid about it, it’s their problem,” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview during his visit to Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, where one of the Edca sites is located.
“For me, my concern is the Philippines’ national interest and national security, and we will have to put bases, not necessarily Edca, throughout our archipelago. We are pursuing an archipelagic doctrine with baselines, and we have to protect that,” he added.
Teodoro also said: “The paranoia of other people may be, rightly so, is taken into consideration, but national security is paramount.”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. allowed the United States more access to several Philippine military bases after approving four new Edca sites.
READ: Palace names four more Edca sites
This brings the total number of Edca sites in the country to nine, fulfilling both countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty, which states that both countries would support each other if an external party attacked the Philippines or the United States.
Three of these newly-approved sites — two in Cagayan and one in Isabela — face Taiwan, a self-ruled island China regards as a renegade province subject to reunification.
The move irked Beijing, which stressed that the agreement was made so that Washington could “encircle and contain China,” which would drag the Philippines into “the Taiwan question.”
READ: China: New Edca sites to ‘seriously harm’ PH
But Teodoro said that Edca “is not only for logistical support on the US side, but it’s [also for] capability upgrade on the Philippine side.”
“That’s what I’m making sure of,” he added.
He also said: “The Philippines is not allowed by the constitution to wage war or any offensive action as an instrument of national policy, now if they do not take … our word for it, then how can we trust each other?
“Just like some people say they have pacific intentions yet there are contrary actions. You know, actions speak louder than words.”