THE last couple of weeks were pretty interesting. A lot of things happened, but two of the most striking events that are in many ways connected are first, the protest demonstrations and prayer rallies against the expanded EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) not just in Manila but particularly in Cagayan province, where two of the four identified new EDCA sites are situated. The second was the nerve-wracking near-collision of two coast guard ships of the Philippines and China, which happened more than a week ago.

Opposition to EDCA