Marcos to discuss ‘evolution’ of...

“We have to evolve it. It has to evolve because there is a need to adjust them because there is really an evolution, there are also changes in the situations we are facing here — in the South China Sea, amid the events in Taiwan, North Korea, all of these [where] the situation is a bit simmering,” he said.

Marcos said he would also speak with Biden on “what should we do to lessen the rhetoric because nowadays the exchange of words is a bit serious, [and] offensive words are already being uttered somewhat, so, of course, we worry about that.”

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) last week announced that Marcos would leave the country on April 30 and his itinerary would begin on May 1 with a meeting with Biden. This will be Marcos’ second trip to the United States as president. He first met with Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year.

After the U.S. trip, President Marcos will attend the coronation of King Charles III in London on May 6 and will travel to Indonesia for the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit from May 9 to May 11.

Assistance

During the video interview, Mr. Marcos said he would also discuss climate change with his

American counterpart and seek help on what strategies should be adopted.

“They’re giving something that’s called green bond, meaning they will give funds to help us fix [the ill-effects of climate change].

For example, the no-build zones [wherein homes] will be moved away from the seas so that they won’t be hit by strong typhoons,” he said.

“We will ask for plenty of help because [we] are recovering from the pandemic. And like in the other trips that I made, [we will pursue] what partnerships can we forge, what new technologies can we bring back to the Philippines that we can use,” he added. Marcos said the country’s “special relationship” with the United States did not always involve military matters, but also economic affairs and cultural exchange.

“We should look at what good partnerships we can have with the U.S.. We will talk with President Biden on how we can be continuously assisted. And it covers so many subjects, not just the military that is being discussed nowadays because of the Edca (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement), but also the economy, tourism, health care, all of them,” he pointed out.

The PCO earlier said Marcos’ visit would help advance his priorities in such areas as agriculture, energy, climate change, digital transformation and technology, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supply chains, and infrastructure.

At the same time, the president said the Philippines became “well-known” during the pandemic because of its healthcare workers, and recalled that during his overseas trips, foreign leaders would always ask him if their countries could get Filipino nurses, doctors, and medical technologists.

“Because we really became well-known during the pandemic, and we remain their number one preferred source of health-care workers—that’s one of the things we’ll talk about because there is a problem on immigration, training, all of those things. We want to give a chance to those who want to go abroad to find a good job,” he added.

Marcos said he was looking into his schedule with Biden to see if they could talk about all the matters that he wanted.

For items that would not be tackled, he said these would be done through “contacts” in the American government and private sector.

“It’s not only President Biden and me. We have businessmen, we have [officials] from different departments with us so that can really clarify what is really the partnership of the Philippines and the United States,” he said. n

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Sen. Marcos, head of the Senate foreign relations panel, on Tuesday said she has not spoken to her brother about his meeting with Biden in the U.S. next week.

But if there’s anything she hopes for President Marcos to raise before his US counterpart, it would be the possible renewal of the 2014 Edca, which is only effective for an initial period of 10 years.

“Siguro magandang pagkakataon na magkaliwanagan tungkol sa Edca at umpisahan na iyong pagsusuri ng renewal, kung sakaling ire-renew iyong EDCA…Since last year na siya, siguro it’s an opportunity to discuss a renewal, if we would like one, under new terms and conditions,” Sen. Marcos told reporters in a chance interview.

(It may be a great opportunity to clarify certain provisions in the Edca and begin thoroughly looking into its renewal, should EDCA be renewed…Since it’s in its last year, it may be an opportunity to discuss a renewal, if we would like one, under new terms and conditions.)

The EDCA, signed during the administration of late President

Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, allows U.S. troops access to select military bases in the Philippines. They can also store defense equipment and supplies in the EDCA sites.

Sen. Marcos reiterated the need to revisit the EDCA terms and conditions to make it more beneficial for the Philippines.

“Dapat naman ata may bayad sila para upahan ang mga base militar natin. Kasi iyon naman ang pakay ng Edca, kumita ang ating sandatahang lakas at higit sa lahat, ma-modernize [sila].

Paano mamo-modernize – tayo nagbabayad sa lahat? Pati iyong kuryente, pati iyong tubig,” she said.

(It is just right that they pay to rent our military bases. Because that’s the purpose of the Edca, for our military forces to earn and modernize. How can they modernize if we’re paying for everything? Even their electricity and water.)

Under the EDCA, both countries “agree that the Philippines shall make agreed locations available to the United States forces without rental or similar costs.”

But it notes: “The United States forces shall cover their necessary operational expenses with respect to their activities at the agreed locations.”

Sen. Marcos had repeatedly questioned the location of four additional Edca sites at Camilo Osias Naval Base and Lallo Airport in Cagayan, Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Isabela, and Balabac in southern Palawan.

This brings the total Philippine military bases made accessible to American troops from five to nine.

Sen. Marcos particularly raised suspicion about the new Edca sites in Northern Luzon, which were a “stone’s throw” away from Taiwan.

China has since lodged a string of warnings to the Philippines, saying the additional EDCA sites could drag the country into its dispute with the U.S. over self-ruled Taiwan and further threaten stability in the region.

The U.S. has firmly stood behind Taiwan amid threats of China to reclaim the island as part of its territory.

But President Marcos said China had nothing to worry about since the Philippines will not allow for its military bases to be used for any offensive operations. n