Thread by @cnnphilippines

Senators raise concerns over the locations of additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites in the country.

International law expert and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque joins us on #TheSource. | LIVE bit.ly/43EMff8

Roque says he is currently in China. He spoke with senior journalists who said the additional EDCA sites’ locations may draw the PH in the middle of a potential conflict over Taiwan.

Roque: The problem with allowing Americans access to our bases is that the PH President simply cannot order the American soldiers to do what he wants… The moment we give Americans access to our bases, it’s their call.

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On the location of three EDCA sites in Northern Luzon, Roque says this would only benefit the US: With the three bases up north in case of a shooting war in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines becomes an unsinkable warship or an aircraft carrier.

Roque: The value of the Philippines is our location, we are basically the gateway to China and the rest of mainland Asia.

Roque recommends the country should stop deploying OFWs to Taiwan because of the “inevitable shooting war.”

Although Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo says the country will not allow the US to stockpile weapons in the EDCA sites, Roque says there is no provision written in the deal to prohibit this.

Since EDCA will expire next year, Roque agrees with Sen. Imee Marcos that this should be reviewed due to the tension in the Taiwan Strait.

Will the PH be obliged to join the war due to the Mutual Defense Treaty?

Roque: Legally not because the Mutual Defense Treaty calls upon collective security in case of either of us is subject to an armed attack. (1/3)

Roque: But if Taiwan is attacked by China, there is no attack on the United States, there’s no reason why we should be drawn into the war. (2/3)

Roque: But because we have allowed American troops to be in the Philippines, that makes us a valid military target. (3/3)

On Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian’s comment on the safety of overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan amid tensions with China, Roque says that Filipino OFWs could become casualties in the event of a shooting war.

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Should OFWs be worried about the situation?

Roque: I think they should. I think they should start having contingencies. I think the PH government should prevent further entrance into Taiwan and should encourage Filipinos to start coming back to the PH.