PHL panel wants US help in maritime security, humanitarian relief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): PHL panel wants US help in maritime security, humanitarian relief

The Philippine panel negotiating a framework agreement on increased rotational presence (IRP) of American troops and defense equipment in the country is pushing for joint activities with the United States (US) that will boost maritime security and maritime domain awareness, and improve response to disaster and humanitarian relief.

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chair of the Philippine negotiators, said these were “key areas” the Philippines would like to have activities with the US and focus on during the talks.

“There should be focus on high-impact, high-value exercises and activities that will focus on maritime security, maritime domain awareness and our perennial problem with disasters,” Batino said.

Batino, however, ruled out any joint combat exercise that will involve US troops in the internal insurgency, saying the Supreme Court had already made it clear that American military forces could not take part in this activity. 

"In one case, the Supreme Court already placed limitations in the operations of the US in the Philippines and we are strictly abiding with the doctrine enunciated in that case,” he said.

According to Batino, while both panels have yet to finalize the types of the activities the US will be allowed to do in the Philippines, the Department of National Defense (DND) would like to see an agreement that would help the capability buildup of the military in maritime security and disaster response and humanitarian relief.

Manila and Washington on Wednesday started discussions on the details of the agreement 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 modernize the armed forces.

During the talks, both sides agreed to include in the framework agreement provisions on parameters for the proposed access and prepositioning of supplies and materiel and  duration and termination.(

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=556295