LOCAL INTERESTS VS. NATIONAL PRIORITIES: EXPLAINING CAGAYAN PROVINCE'S OPPOSITION TO U.S.-PHILIPPINE DEFENSE COOPERATION SITES
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Authors
Pasia, Bill L.
Subjects
subnational government
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)
Cagayan Province
Philippines
alliance
Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)
Cagayan Province
Philippines
alliance
Advisors
Malley, Michael S.
Date of Issue
2024-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
In 2014, the Philippines and the United States signed an agreement to grant U.S. armed forces access to five military bases in the Philippines. To strengthen their alliance further, the two countries extended the agreement in 2023 to cover four additional sites, including two in the northern province of Cagayan. In contrast to other provinces that were chosen to host these sites, opposition was strong in Cagayan. This thesis examines Cagayan’s response in comparison to the responses of other provinces whose bases will host U.S. forces. Specifically, it examines political, economic, sociocultural, and security factors that affected Cagayan Province differently than the other provinces. It finds that the key factors driving the opposition in Cagayan are provincial leaders’ concerns about local autonomy, their prioritization of potential Chinese economic investment, and differences between their security perceptions and those of national leaders. Comparing the Cagayan case to the cases of the other seven EDCA site hosts, this research revealed that Cagayan’s opposition is isolated and does not demonstrate a broad subnational sentiment. This study recommends that opposition can be minimized through consultations, balancing interests, and providing economic incentives to promote subnational cooperation for national security initiatives.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
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