TOP Defense and Security experts here and abroad are evaluating the impact of the 2014 US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) on the Asia Pacific Region in a forum at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, June 7.
Experts said the agreement would be helpful to the country so that the Philippines will not lose its vital leverage in the West Philippine sea dispute.
Prof. Renato De Castro of the Albert Del Rosario Institute, said it would be helpful if the country agree with China’s suggestion to settle the territorial disputes through bilateral talks
Former Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert Del Rosario meanwhile said any bilateral negotiations between the Philippines and China must happen only when the arbitration court releases its decision
President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has made it clear that, if his government will enter into bilateral talks, it doesn’t mean he will surrender contested territories converted by china into artificial islands that can be used for military purposes. (Eagle News)
