THE PHILIPPINE government’s chief lawyer has conceded that the United States would not aid the country should it be attacked by China.
Answering questions posed by Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio during the second round of the oral arguments on the bilateral defense deal between the Philippines and the United States, Acting Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is not a guarantee that troops from the United States would assist the country if it is attacked by China.
“There is no guarantee about the future...We do what we do and we do what we can do and hope for the best,” Mr. Hilbay said, when interpellated by Mr. Carpio whether China initiates an attack against the Philippines.
Justice Carpio, stating that there is no assurance of the United States helping the country in times of threat to national security, then asked Mr. Hilbay about what the Philippines can benefit from the bilateral deal.
“We are not saying that the EDCA is the answer to all our problems. What we are saying is that it will improve our facilities,” Mr. Hilbay said.
Under the terms of the deal -- signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg -- the US can store military equipment in agreed locations in the Philippines.
“The agreed locations will be areas of joint use, consistent with the concept of responsibility based on proportionate use of the areas and facilities, as stated in the EDCA,” Mr. Hilbay said. - © Provided by Reden D. Madrid l Business World Online
“There is no guarantee about the future...We do what we do and we do what we can do and hope for the best,” Mr. Hilbay said, when interpellated by Mr. Carpio whether China initiates an attack against the Philippines.
Justice Carpio, stating that there is no assurance of the United States helping the country in times of threat to national security, then asked Mr. Hilbay about what the Philippines can benefit from the bilateral deal.
“We are not saying that the EDCA is the answer to all our problems. What we are saying is that it will improve our facilities,” Mr. Hilbay said.
Under the terms of the deal -- signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg -- the US can store military equipment in agreed locations in the Philippines.
“The agreed locations will be areas of joint use, consistent with the concept of responsibility based on proportionate use of the areas and facilities, as stated in the EDCA,” Mr. Hilbay said. - © Provided by Reden D. Madrid l Business World Online
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