CAGAYAN DE ORO — Amid the tension in West Asia, Kagay-anons were alarmed when pictures that show United States (US) soldiers in civilian clothes arriving at Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro started to circulate online.

The Army’s 4th Infantry Division confirmed the arrival of US troops, saying that residents should not be worried since their presence is just part of the joint military exercises.

But for the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) Philippines, the arrival of US soldiers remains alarming, reiterating strong opposition to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

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“By opening Philippine military facilities to American forces, the Marcos Jr. regime is effectively transforming the country into a forward operating base for US military power in the Asia-Pacific and beyond,” Arnold Padilla, ILPS Philippines spokesperson, said in a statement.

The Lumbia Air Base, the former airport in Cagayan de Oro, is one of the nine EDCA sites in the Philippines and the only one located in Mindanao.

Aside from the deployment of US soldiers and conducting training and exercises, the cooperation agreement also authorizes the US to store and maintain vessels and preposition its equipment, supplies, and materials at the agreed sites.

This authorization, ILPS Philippines said, can easily be used by the US to conduct surveillance operations and provide logistical support for US military campaigns.

Meanwhile, a US Navy ship reportedly arrived at the Cagayan de Oro port on March 15. According to the Philippine Air Force, the presence of US troops in the city will last until the end of this month.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate criticized the growing presence of US soldiers. “[It] undermines Philippine sovereignty and deepens the militarization of our country, particularly in Mindanao.”

Zarate said that genuine national security should not be dependent on foreign troops or expanded militarization.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a multisectoral alliance, stressed that EDCA puts the Filipino people in danger, stressing that the nine locations under the agreement could be a target for rivals and enemies of the US, including China which claims the West Philippine Sea that is under the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines. 

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In an earlier statement, Bayan said that the US is using the Philippines-China conflict to maintain its military presence and possibly use it for military intervention. “We don’t want China’s bases on artificial islands, and we don’t want US bases in our provinces,” it said.

The National Security Council said that EDCA sites remain under control of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. But for Bayan, these are US military bases.

“The so-called rotational deployment effectively means permanent presence. In the same way, EDCA sites are only temporary so long as the US decides when and how long these bases remain in Philippine territory,” Bayan said.

ILPS Philippines called on Filipinos to oppose EDCA and other military agreements between the Philippine government and the US to avoid the country becoming a “launching pad” for wars. (DAA)