Gazmin rules out US bases but sees increased American military presence in cases of emergency

From InterAksyion (Apr 12): Gazmin rules out US bases but sees increased American military presence in cases of emergency

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ruled out the possibility of re-establishing US military bases in the Philippines after tension rose in the Korean Peninsula.

However, in cases of emergencies, "extreme measures" may be undertaken such as increased US presence in the country, Gazmin said. For the meantime, the Philippines will continue to undertake bilateral military exercises and training with the US military, he added.

The Philippine government also has contingency measures in place should violence break out in the Korean peninsula. Gazmin said the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute also has prepared possible scenarios in case of a full-blown nuclear war that could affect the Philippines.

"But hopefully we will not be able to implement this, meaning we hope our worst fears would not happen," Gazmin told reporters.

Air and naval assets from the Philippines are also on standby should Filipinos living and working in South Korea need evacuation, he added.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/59302/gazmin-rules-out-us-bases-but-sees-increased-american-military-presence-in-cases-of-emergency