Philippines may get chance to study new military equipment if it allows US to use its facilities

From InterAksyon (Jun 28): Philippines may get chance to study new military equipment if it allows US to use its facilities

The Philippines may get the chance to study and check out new military equipment from the United States--including planes that detect submarines using magnetic technology--under a proposed agreement allowing the US wider access to facilities at home.

Under the proposed "access agreement," "new military technology" from US may set foot on Philippine soil, Defense Chief Voltaire Gazmin said on Friday, supporting the government's proposal.

“'Yung eroplano nila, for example, ‘yung P3 Orion, wala tayo nun. Baka pagkanag-refuel ‘yung kanilang jets na makabago e mabibigyan tayo ng pagkakataong mapag-aralan at makita ‘yung mga ganung technology,” he said.

(The Philippines doesn't have a P3 Orion. But if it is allowed to refuel in the country, we might have the chance to study it and see how it works.)

Gazmin was prompted to raise this possibility after defending the "access agreement" between the Philippines and the United States, which he said was needed so that the country can increase its allies and defend itself against China.

"At this point in time we cannot stand with our own feet, we need allies. If we will not do this we will always be at the mercy of big powers. What is happening is that China is already here, they are already on our territory. We cannot just attack them," Gazmin said on Friday after leftist party-list solons scored the Aquino administration for entering into a possible defense collaboration with the US. "We had already run after them before a court but look they will not leave us. So, what are we going to do now? Shall we wait they will come further and enter our doorsteps? They are already inside our garage, isn’t it?" Gazmin said.

Gazmin further explained that the agreement was actually part of his “two plus two” meeting with his US counterpart recently in line with the increased rotational presence of US forces in the Asia Pacific.

Once approved, joint military exercises between both countries will be increased, he said.

“We’re also expecting an increase of joint military exercises so kinakailangan natin ng access nila para yung kanilang mga gamit such as eroplano na manggagaling pa ng Okinawa, Japan, or Guam or Hawaii ay maiparada na lang muna dito kasi masyadong malaki yung turnaround time at saka yung konsumo ng gasolina nila,” he said.

(Joint military exercises are expected to rise. We need to give them access so that their planes which may come from Okinawa, Guam, or Hawaii may be temporarily parked here since turnaround time is too long and to cut on fuel consumption.)

He said they are targeting Subic and the Lumbia Airport for this purpose.

Gazmin also explained that the possible “access agreement” for American forces would be in accordance to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which needs the approval of the Senate.

“Of course, it should pass Congress approval. Right now, our legal luminaries are carefully studying it,” he said.

The government is also exploring a similar agreement with Japan, which is a strategic ally, Gazmin said.

“Pero hangga’t wala namang VFA hindi rin sila puwedeng pumasok. Magkakaroon tayo ng exercise with Japan siguro pero hindi sila bababa. Our Technical Working Group will explore this to come up with a mechanism," he said.

(Without a Visiting Forces Agreement with Japan, the Japanese are forbidden to come in and land. But we will hold an exercise with Japan but their troops will be disallowed from disembarking.)

Gazmin also said such agreement is not permanent though.

“These are all temporary for the duration of the exercise and for agreements eventually agreed upon later on,” he clarified.

On Thursday, China warned nations claiming some territories in the South China Sea that if they resort to direct actions to push their claims would be "doomed."

However, Gazmin brushed this aside, reiterating that the Philippines must defend itself.

“Well that is their right, their prerogative to say such a statement but you know we have to protect ourselves too," he said. "In the process of building up our defense we should be able to collaborate with other countries so that we become stronger, we become united. In our rules-based, legal, and peaceful approach we have been getting a lot of support from European and Asian countries. Our filing for arbitration against China had encouraging feedbacks."

After Beijing rejected Manila's diplomatic protests over its relentless intrusions into Philippine territories in the West Philippine Sea, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bring the case for arbitration before an international court, which action triggered more aggressiveness on the part of China to intrude in Philippine territory.

At present, China roped off and even reportedly building structures in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, some 124 nautical miles and well within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Masinloc, Zambales.

China also intruded into Ayungin Reef, part of the municipality of Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan. The Philippine Marines have troops stationed in the area.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65144/philippines-may-get-chance-to-study-new-military-equipment-if-it-allows-us-to-use-its-facilities