ON Thursday, October 5, a group of dedicated individuals from Peace for Development held a lightning rally right at the doorstep of the House of Representatives. Their purpose — to stand shoulder to shoulder with and extend their unwavering support to the people of Cagayan and their resolute and steadfast leader, Gov. Manuel Mamba. The cause that unites them is a fervent and staunch opposition to constructing sites/bases in Cagayan under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Their conviction stems from a belief that such a move is fueling and catalyzing the escalating tensions between the Philippines and China. They assembled with the united purpose of magnifying their voices through the corridors of legislative power and making known to the members of Congress that they stand on the side of peace and development in the face of complex geopolitical challenges in the Asia/Indo-Pacific region that the Philippines is faced with.

To recall, aside from the five existing EDCA sites, the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the United States in February 2023 announced four additional EDCA sites, namely Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan. The construction of these EDCA sites/bases is underway.