An activist holds a sign during a protest outside a military camp in Quezon City, east of Manila, against upcoming talks between the Philippines and the US on increased presence of American troops in the country.
MANILA: Greater access – not permanent presence – is all that United States forces can get from a deal being worked out with the Philippines, Malacañang said yesterday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte gave the assurance in a press briefing even as she stressed there was “no done deal” yet as foreign affairs and defence officials begin talks today with US negotiators to increase the rotational presence of American troops in the country.
The talks come at a time when the Philippines is seeking international support against China’s staking of its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea.
Valte said the “modalities” of greater US troop access would still have to be discussed by the two panels.
“We are after high-impact and high-value exercises that will benefit both sides,” she said.
Helping the country build a credible defence and improving its disaster response capabilities are the main objectives of the negotiations, she said.
“We understand that when the modalities have been threshed out, it will help towards that,” she said.
Valte said she couldn’t say whether the US would be allowed to build or improve facilities in the country to accommodate a bigger number of troops during exercises.
Allowing the US military such option may require a separate agreement that needs Senate ratification, according to observers.
She said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had made it clear that whatever is agreed upon by the two panels would be in accordance with the Constitution and other relevant agreements, including the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951.
The Philippine negotiating panel is composed of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, Defence Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and Defence Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.
Eric John, senior negotiator for military agreements of the State Department, leads the US panel.
Valte said the government would regularly update the public – through the media – on the progress of the negotiations for the sake of transparency.
On speculation that raising the number of US troops in the Philippines was meant to counter China’s growing aggressiveness, Valte said: “While some may have that comment off the bat, we would rather see after the details have been finally threshed out.”
But for an administration lawmaker, the proposed military arrangement with the US is a foil to the “intense form of bullying from China.”
“Our country has resorted to peaceful means by bringing our claim before the Arbitral Tribunal. Nonetheless, China continues to refuse the resolution of the territorial dispute,” CIBAC party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said.
“The Philippines and its officials have the responsibility to ensure that we fight for our sovereignty. Otherwise, we would be left to the mercy of a nation, which uses its gained economic and military prowess,” he said.
Tugna said negotiations for an increased rotational presence of US troops in the country should be within the framework of the Constitution and other relevant agreements.
THE PHILIPPINES STAR
