MALUGOD na tatanggapin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at maging ng buong mamamayan ng Surigao del Norte ang mga Amerikano na itinuturing ng Pilipinas bilang long-time friends at allies nito partikular ang paglalagay ng huli ng military facility nito sa naturang lalawigan.
Ayon kay House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman at Surigao del Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, nais nilang imbitahan ng kanyang kapatid na si Governor Lyndon Barbers ang liderarto ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AF) at United States (US) military na bisitahin ang kanilang probinsiya at tignan ang posibilidad na makasama sila bilang lugar para sa paglalagay ng military facility sa ilalim ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
“Our province is situated on the Northeastern tip of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. Its deep waters can accommodate the huge naval ships of the United States. It has a distinct advantage as it is openly facing the Pacific Ocean yet has an outlet to the West Philippine Sea. The ships can traverse the country from East to West and vice-versa without needing to circle around. This is a very strategic advantage. Military presence will discourage any hostile activity and even posturing by foreign forces both civilian or otherwise,” sabi pa ng House panel chair.
“Setting up an EDCA base would benefit not only the province but the whole eastern regions of the Visayas and Mindanao. In times of calamities, aid can be delivered fast and wide. Immediate assistance and relief will prevent loss of countless lives and massive damage. Remember that our region is always under threat from nature’s wrath, be it super typhoons or strong earthquakes,” dugtong naman ni Gov. Lyndon Barbers.
“Best of all, the people will warmly welcome the Americans, our long time friends and allies.
Needless to say, establishment of an EDCA site in Surigao del Norte will surely spur economic prosperity to the region, to which the people will be happy about. The mere presence of our armed forces and our allies will greatly enhance our confidence building measures. Our fisherfolks will have nothing to worry about being driven away by hostile forces within our own territory,” paglalahad ng Surigao del Norte solon.
ROMER R. BUTUYAN