The McC Agreement Philippines: An Overview
The Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the United States and the Philippines was signed in 1951 to provide for mutual defense in case of an armed attack on either party. In 1954, the two countries signed the Military Assistance Agreement and the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. In 1966, the Mutual Defense Treaty was revised to include the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allows for the temporary presence of US troops in the Philippines for joint military exercises, training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
In 2014, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed to further strengthen the defense partnership between the US and the Philippines. The EDCA provides for the rotational presence of US forces and allows them to access and use designated Philippine military facilities for a variety of activities.
The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), also known as the Mutual Cooperation Agreement, was signed in 2020 to improve logistics and enhance the defense capabilities of both countries. The MLSA allows the US and the Philippines to use each other`s military bases, ports, and airports for refueling, resupply, and other logistical support.
The latest agreement between the US and the Philippines is the Mutual Central Command Agreement (MCCA), which was signed in August 2021. The MCCA provides for the establishment of a joint central command that will facilitate coordination and cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). The joint central command will focus on enhancing intelligence sharing, maritime security, and counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The MCCA is seen as a significant milestone in the defense partnership between the US and the Philippines. It reflects the shared commitment of both countries to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and to protect their common interest in the face of regional challenges.
However, the MCCA has also been met with criticism and opposition from some lawmakers and groups in the Philippines. They fear that the agreement may compromise the country`s sovereignty and lead to US military intervention in Philippine affairs.
In response to these concerns, the Philippine government has emphasized that the MCCA is not a basing agreement and does not provide for the establishment of permanent US military bases in the country. It also assures that the agreement is consistent with the country`s Constitution and national laws.
In conclusion, the Mutual Central Command Agreement between the US and the Philippines is a significant development in their defense partnership. While it has faced some opposition, it reflects the shared commitment of both countries to maintain peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The implementation of the MCCA will be closely watched by stakeholders in both countries as it is expected to enhance defense cooperation and strengthen their strategic alliance.