Manila, Washington wrap up 2nd round of talks for increased US military presence

From InterAksyon (Aug 31): Manila, Washington wrap up 2nd round of talks for increased US military presence

Manila and Washington on Friday wrapped up a second round of talks to pave the way for increased rotational presence (IRP) of American troops in the Philippines, with Manila stressing that any such arrangement will not lead the ultimate establishment of permanent US military presence in the archipelago.

Any American military presence will be temporary and in compliance with the Philippine Constitution, said Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino.

In the negotiations at the US Department of Defense in the Pentagon, it was also agreed that joint exercises and activities under a framework agreement for the IRP will require approval from the Philippines. Batino, the chief negotiator for the Philippines, added that any arrangement will have to be mutually beneficial to the defense capabilities of the two countries, consistent with an already existing Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

"Both the Philippines and the US panels share the understanding that the American troops will not establish a permanent military presence in our country. That was clear during the discussion," Batino said. "From the beginning of the talks, we communicated to our counterparts that they could not establish a permanent presence in the Philippines in accordance with our Constitution."

Under the agreed minutes released by the panels, all access to, and use of, Philippine military facilities and areas by the US will have to come at the invitation of the Philippine government. 

"Where and what can be prepositioned will be subject to prior approval by the Philippine government and based on mutuality of interest," said explained Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, panel spokesperson. "Any approval will contain specific areas and time for the temporary activity."

Sorreta said "specific understandings" were achieved to the following effect:

• Facilities used for prepositioning will remain the property of the Philippines
• The Philippines maintains the primary responsibility and authority in matters of security
• Any prepositioning or activities will not violate Philippine environmental laws
• Any construction will have to be removed by the US once the approved activity is completed 

The parties also agreed to craft "stronger language on non-prepositioning of prohibited weapons", said a press statement from the panel. The Philippine Constitution prohibits the entry or presence of nuclear weapons in the country.

Beyond mutual defense matters, Sorreta said the Philippines and the US worked out details on humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Sorreta also said the Philippines will likely negotiate for a shorter timeframe for the lifespan of any final agreement than what Washington is expected to ask for. "For the Americans, they typically have agreements like these that have a duration of 20 years. Right now, the Philippine delegation is looking at a much shorter duration," he said.

Negotiations on a framework agreement on the IRP officially started on August 14. The Philippines is hoping that with an IRP in place, the country can achieve a "minimum credible defense" posture amid territorial threats in the South China Sea, and even as it tries to modernize its badly resourced armed forces.

The next round of talks will be held in the second week of September in the US. The Philippine panel is composed of Batino, Sorreta, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/69756/manila-washington-wrap-up-2nd-round-of-talks-for-increased-us-military-presence