Disturbing developments

THE BROADER VIEW

- HARRY ROQUE

Two disturbing developments recently took place but unfortunately gained little media traction. First is the seizure of 100 kilos of radioactive depleted uranium. The state-run Philippine News Agency on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, reported an entrapment operation in Pasay City in October resulting in the recovery of 20 kilograms of metal bars and three kilograms of black powder, which all tested positive for uranium.

Days earlier, another three kilograms of black powder, rock material, small metal materials and other contaminated items which, again, all tested positive for uranium, were seized in Cagayan de Oro City.

Then another operation, this time in Mandaue City in Cebu, recovered about 60 kilograms of black metal, which again tested positive for uranium.

Where did all of these come from? I can only surmise and that is, it is connected with the presence of American forces in the Philippines.

To recall, former president Rodrigo Duterte said in an interview in "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" last June 26, 2023, that the US military could bring nuclear weapons to the locations identified under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The former president added that "it would be stupid for us or so naive to think that there is none."

The original five EDCA sites include Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro (where the radioactive materials were seized), Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan and Mactan-Benito Abuen Air Base in Cebu (where the radioactive materials were seized).

Other EDCA sites were added, which include Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac Island in Palawan.