READERS will recall that it has been more than two years since this column reported the formation of a movement which I proposed at a meeting of a few individuals concerned about the tragic consequences of the Philippines' military alliance with the United States. In the luncheon meeting hosted by Herman Tiu
Laurel at his Mama Rosa restaurant in Barrio Capitolyo, Pasig were former senator Eddie Ilade, former congressman Homobono Adaza, former ambassador Alberto Encomienda, former ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) chief Victor Corpus, "Ang Maestro: The Unfinished Revolution" host Adolfo Paglinawan, Manila Bulletin news editor Diego Cagahastian, IDSI (Integrated Development Studies Institute) Director George Siy, La Salle professor Austin Ong, professor Celso Cainglet, journalists Rod Kapunan and Mike Alunan, and this writer, the only one in the group who didn't have any academic credentials to take pride in.The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) concluded by the US with the President Benigno Aquino 3rd administration in 2014 was, in effect, an implementing mechanism of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951 and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) of 1998. Practically nobody raised an objection to EDCA at the time of its creation, not from the otherwise vociferous, influential elements of mainstream media, much less from the nation at large.
Continue reading with one of these options:
Ad-free access
P 80 per month
(billed annually at P 960)
- Unlimited ad-free access to website articles
- Limited offer: Subscribe today and get digital edition access for free (accessible with up to 3 devices)