Naniniwala si Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers na isang ‘strategic advantage’ kung ikunsidera ng militar na magtayo ng EDCA base sa kanilang probinsiya.
Binigyang-diin ng mambabatas na ang kanilang lugar ay isang strategic area kung saan ang probinsiya matatagpuan sa Northeastern tip ng Mindanao na nakaharap sa Pacific Ocean.
Sinabi ni Cong. Barbers na ang malalim na tubig nito ay kayang tumanggap ng malalaking barkong pandagat ng Estados Unidos at may natatanging kalamangan dahil ito ay lantarang nakaharap sa Karagatang Pasipiko ngunit may labasan sa West Philippine Sea.
” 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”, pahayag ni Rep. Barbers.
