'The sum of our fears?': Recto has many questions on EDCA expansion

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• questions about the apparent expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States (US)

• National security is not harmed by that candor. But any secrecy will deal transparency, an avowed hallmark of this administration, a serious blow

• What are the benefits that we as a nation will gain from the EDCA 9

• Is this a good deal for the country? And what are the disadvantages, if any?

• The men from Washington who came to town said they would like to speed up EDCA’s implementation. If that is what they desire, then what is the ultimate goal?

• How many more military bases will be covered in the future?) Are we being built up as their armed garrison in the Pacific as a tripwire to Chinese expansionism?

• EDCA allows the US to rotate troops into the Philippines for extended stays and allows the US to build and operate facilities on Philippine bases for both American and Philippine force

• The deal states that the US is not allowed to establish any permanent military bases. The Philippines, in turn, have personnel access to American ships and planes