Galvez cites senators' support for new EDCA sites, joint sea patrols

Department of National Defense OIC Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday thanked senators backing the designation of four new sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement  and the continuation of joint sea patrols.

In a statement, Galvez said in DND's behalf: "I thank our lawmakers for expressing their support for EDCA and the resumption of joint Philippine-US maritime patrols."

Galvez was referring to Senators Francis Tolentino, Francis Escudero, and Sherwin Gatchalian, who shared their favorable sentiments regarding the defense and security policy developments in the country.

According to Galvez, the three senators aired their support right after his meeting with his counterpart US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila early this month.

On the designation of four new EDCA sites, Sen. Tolentino was quoted in the statement as saying:

"I am in favor of defense/security cooperation ‘upgrades’ with reliable allies like the United States, considering the evolving regional conditions and challenges, so long as this is anchored on solid constitutional foundations and for the greater interests of the nation and is evidently a good model. "

On the continuation of joint maritime patrols, Sen. Escudero was quoted as saying: The US has been the Philippines’ security ally since the late 1940s and "...that there is no reason not to continue that and what the President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. saw is the interest of our country."

Sen. Escudero also emphasized that joint patrols would help reduce encroachments and acts of harassment in the disputed maritime area.

For his part, Sen. Gatchalian shared that joint patrols and other cooperative military activities with the US would enhance military interoperability between the two countries, the DND said.

"And this is not only about combat, one huge aspect is disaster preparedness. Our country is often hit by disasters and we all know the US is well equipped for such situations,” Gatchalian added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also expressed gratitude for the support extended by the lawmakers.

The AFP noted that with the threat of climate change, the Philippines' partnership with modern and well-equipped countries such as the US "will develop the capability of our troops in executing humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) operations in times of natural calamities and disasters."

"In addition to capability development, our engagement with a friend and a long-time ally also brings economic activities and opportunities that will benefit the people of the host local government units. This will further improve business confidence that will provide economic stability that investors seek," the AFP said.

It also said Filipino and American troops would hold the annual bilateral Balikatan Exercises in which the AFP will take the lead in planning and execution, supported by the US Armed Forces with other like-minded nations as observers.

Galvez pointed out that DND's mandate is to secure and defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights such as the freedom of our our people to fish in our own waters.

"It is truly encouraging that our distinguished senators are aware of the importance of EDCA and joint maritime patrols to our national interest. I thank them again for their support," Galvez said. —with reports from Anna Felicia Bajo/LBG/AOL, GMA Integrated News