2nd round of talks for IRP slated Aug. 30

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 29): 2nd round of talks for IRP slated Aug. 30

The Dept. of National Defense on Thursday announced the second round of negotiations between the Philippines and the United States for the framework agreement on the increased rotational presence (IRP) of American troops and military equipment in the country will be held Aug. 30 (Philippine date) in Washington D. C.

Both sides are expected to build on the progress made in their initial meeting on Aug. 14 at DND headquarters in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The proposed framework agreement is expected by the Philippine side to bolster the country’s external defense, improve disaster response and increase joint military training and exercises, said DND Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chair of the Philippine panel of negotiators.

In the first round of consultations and negotiations, the two sides discussed salient features, such as the working title, preamble, objectives and scope of the discussions that will give US troops and defense equipment temporary access to Philippine military camps — an arrangement that will help the country achieve a minimum credible defense amid territorial threats and boost plans to modernize the armed forces.

Other main elements of the negotiations, which both sides agreed to include in the framework agreement, are the implementing arrangements, prepositioning of supplies and materiel, security, ownership, protection of the environment, utilities and communications, procedures, resolution of disputes, and duration and termination.

Batino said the Philippine panel hopes to have a general discussion on the types of activities which both Filipino and American troops can undertake together.

“The types of activities that we want to do with the US will be threshed out in our talks,” he added.

“As we discuss these, we want to stress again to our counterparts that any framework agreement must be consistent with our Constitution and there should be mutuality in benefits.”

The Philippine panel earlier said it would push for joint activities with the US that will boost maritime security and maritime domain awareness, and improve humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The former is composed of Batino, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=560079