New military accord elevates PH-US defense alliance, says DFA Chief

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday called the new defense agreement between the Philippines and the United States a “milestone” pact that elevates the long-time allies’ defense partnership.

A product of nearly two years of planning and negotiations, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA was signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg a few hours before the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama, who makes his last stop in Manila today following a week-long Asian tour that includes Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Philippines.