MANILA: Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr said yesterday he is against the return of US bases in the country but backed the temporary stationing of American troops if the situation in the Korean peninsula escalates into a shooting war.
Other senior lawmakers also aired similar views even as they expressed confidence that the Aquino government will not violate the Constitution in the event it will allow the stationing of US forces in Philippine soil.
Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who first voiced the proposal, clarified the possible return of US bases in the country would be temporary and only if “there was going to be an actual shooting war.”
“I’m against the permanent return of the US military bases, but temporary contingency of their bases may be needed for our security. Meaning only temporary,” Belmonte said.
Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone said there should be no apprehensions over suggestions to allow US military bases as this may only happen in “extreme emergency cases.”
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
