Category Archives: Military

International, Military

U.S. Withdraws From EDCA

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles, Washington D.C. Bureau) – The United States has withdrawn from EDCA – Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement – just hours after Philippine President Bongbong Marcos said that the U.S. military bases cannot be used for any American aggression.

The U.S. was granted four additional military sites in addition to the five already existing under the agreement.

Critics have said that the presence of U.S. military in the Philippines puts the former American colony in harms way should war erupt, particularly with China.

The Adobo Chronicles reached out to the U.S. State Department which said that having American military sites in the Philippines would be of no use if they are banned as staging sites for U.S. offensive against China or any other adversaries.

Government, International, Military, Politics

President Bongbong Marcos Changes Mind On EDCA!

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It is known as the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement, or EDCA. It grants the United States access to military sites in the Philippines and that privilege has recently been increased from five to nine sites.

Many Filipinos have expressed disapproval for this agreement and expanded access because they believe it will put the Philippines in harms way with China amid the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. The U.S. has a vested interest in the region.

But lo and behold, just in time for the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution which ousted his father, President Bongbong Marcos has announced a change of mind with regards to EDCA.

“From now on, EDCA will no longer exist,” Marcos said. “We have decided to rename it EDSA — the Enhanced Defense and Security Agreement.”

Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao told The Adobo Chronicles that Marcos’ move will make everyone happy: the U.S. will continue to have access to the nine sites; the Philippines will continue to rely on U.S. protection in case of any intrusion into its territory; and the pro-Aquino and activist groups will continue to bask in the memory of the symbol of their opposition to the Marcoses — EDSA!

International, Military, Race Relations

China, Japan To Each Have Access To Philippine Military Bases!

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MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Fulfilling his campaign and inaugural speech promise that the Philippines will be “a friend to all and an enemy to none,” President Bongbong Marcos has given his go-signal to allow China and Japan to each maintain 9 military bases in the Philippines.

The move follows an earlier announcement that the United States has been given additional access to four additional military sites in addition to the five already existing under EDCA, the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement between the two countries.

“By giving equal access to the major players that matter in the Asia Pacific regional security, the Philippines is making it clear to the universal community that we are a peace-loving people and that we are being proactive in preventing war and conflict especially in the light of the South China Sea territorial dispute that involves the Philippines,” Marcos told The Adobo Chronicles.

Kudos to the PBBM administration for giving peace a chance!