As highlighted by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile in a statement before members of the House of Representatives, one of the key reasons behind the creation of RA 7922, otherwise known as the “Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995,” was “to secure the nation from potential future incursions by foreign powers with expansive global ambitions.
The establishment of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) was not just an economic initiative, but also a strategic move to safeguard the country against serious national security threats. In short, invasion from a superpower like China.
Take for instance the Fuga Group of Islands, which fall under CEZA’s jurisdiction. Should these islands be occupied by an expansionist country, the former could serve as a critical naval base to bolster the latter’s military presence.
This would not only grant the other country greater control over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), but could also have far-reaching consequences for other neighboring countries. Moreover, gaining control of the Fuga Group of Islands would enable the other country to dominate the Balintang Channel, a critical waterway between the Babuyan Group of Islands, Batanes, and the Luzon Strait.
Such developments would present a significant threat to the Philippines. Worse, these islands could become staging points for subversive operations, further destabilizing the country politically, or even serve as a supply line for arming rebel groups.”
Furthermore, if a country like China were to occupy Fuga, it would dominate the whole Balintang Channel, a body of water between the Babuyan Islands until Batanes and all the way to the Luzon Strait between PH and Taiwan, thus posing a very serious threat in relation to our strategic geographical locations.
So, if China were to seize these islands, she would surely use them as her naval and air force bases to complement her military base in Hainan Province and her man-made heavily-fortified artificial islands in the South China Sea. In addition, it may give the Chinese Liberation Army a convenient logistics base to support whatever activity China has in mind for Benham Rise or the Philippine Rise, which is approximately some 350 kilometers away from Fuga.
Should this materialize, God forbid, it would surely hurt us, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the US and one-third of the total global trade, which passes thru this sea lane.
Today, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority or CEZA, under the able stewardship of JPE’s daughter Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile plays a crucial role in national defense. Sec. Enrile has a direct link to PBBM and the Cagayan Freeport is of vital importance to national security and regional stability.
With a whopping 54,000 hectarage, its areas within its jurisdiction are designated as “Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement“ (EDCA) sites, contributing to regional stability and promoting peace within the region. Where there is peace, there is progress.
Peace brings stability, which in turn fosters economic growth and job creation, empowering Filipino families towards self-sufficiency.
The creation of RA 7922 and CEZA is a legacy of JPE which is designed to ensure the long-term stability and security of the country.
As stewards of this legacy, it is our collective responsibility to protect its reason and purpose of existence for the nation, thus ensuring a secure and brighter future for the next generation of Filipinos to come.
And with several Filipinos putting the interests of another nation other than that of PH, it is certainly sad to note that they do so in the guise of love of country and patriotism, but in truth are fifth columnist in the payroll of the Chinese Communist Party.
Lastly, and in contrast to sinister forces at play today, let us keep this legacy alive, for it is in doing so that we may leave PH a better place to live in.
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Random Memorandum: Last year, the US announced plans to expand new military sites in PH under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two nations which took effect on February 1, 2024. The four (4) new sites are the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
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Factoid: Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine President, was a third-year high school dropout from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and thereafter was elected town head in 1895. He was also the first person to hold the title of Capitan Municipal de Cavite El Viejo, which was formerly known as gobernadorcillo.
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(Leslie Bocobo is a former Special Assistant to the Secretary at the Office of the Press Secretary, Malacanang, and a former Public Affairs Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources)
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