Relax, it’ll take very much more to host US bases anew

From Malaya (Apr 14): Relax, it’ll take very much more to host US bases anew

DEPUTY presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte yesterday said the reestablishment of the US bases in the Philippines would only be considered under an “extreme emergency,” like if war breaks out in the Korean peninsula.

Valte, in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was just doing his job of looking at all possible scenarios relative to national defense when he revealed that government is considering allowing the US to set up bases again in the country as an option.

“Only in the case of extreme emergency, iyung katulad pong pinag-uusapan na digmaan. So hindi naman po ganoon, hindi po in the present situation,” she said.

Gazmin on Friday said the Constitution does not allow US bases in the country, but it might be considered as an extreme measure, and subject to Congress’ approval.

Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario have said the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States requires either of the countries to come to the aid of its ally if it is attacked by another country and the Philippines would stand by its commitment.

The Philippines, amid the tension, had put in place contingency measures including evacuation plans in case the situation escalates.

Tensions have been brewing in the Korean peninsula since the North’s new leader Kim Jong-un ordered a third nuclear weapons test in February and later announced that it is entering a state of war with South Korea.

Pyongyang had also warned foreigners in South Korea to leave following their threat of a thermonuclear war, as well as warned of attacks against American troops and its territories amid its brinkmanship with Seoul.

Records from the DFA showed that there are about 80,000 Filipinos residing and working in South Korea while data from Commission on Filipinos Overseas showed that there are only about 15 Filipinos based in North Korea.

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/28785-relax-itll-take-very-much-more-to-host-us-bases-anew