U.S troops' rotational presence in PHL not aimed at any particular nation -- DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 3): U.S troops' rotational presence in PHL not aimed at any particular nation -- DND

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said China and other countries have no reason to be concerned about the ongoing Philippine-U.S. talks regarding the increased rotational presence (IRP) of American troops and equipment in the country.

He added that the agreement only aims to upgrade the Armed Forces of the Philippines so that it can be more capable of protecting the country's territories and in responding to natural disasters.

The DND chief also pointed out that the IRP talks is not aimed at any particular nation.

Gazmin also said that there is nothing unusual with the Philippines seeking assistance of the U.S. regarding this matter as the country has a standing Mutual Defense Treaty with the Americans.

He also pointed out that it is the duty of every nation to upgrade its military capability in order to protect its territories.

Both Philippine and U.S. negotiators have earlier agreed that American troops and equipment in Philippine military facilities will be temporary and must comply with the country’s Constitution

This was disclosed by DND undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, head negotiator of the Philippine panel.

The second round round of negotiations was held at the U.S. Department of Defense in the Pentagon in Washington D.C. last week.

Both sides also agreed that joint exercises and activities under a framework agreement will require the approval of the Philippines and will be mutually beneficial to the individual and collective defense capabilities of the two countries in furtherance of Article II of the Mutual Defense Treaty.

“Both the Philippines and the U.S. 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," he added

In the agreed minutes released by the panels, it said that all the access to and use of military facilities and areas by the U.S. will be 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. Any approval will contain specific areas and time for the temporary activity,” explained Department Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, panel spokesperson.

During the talks, Sorreta said, the two teams of negotiators were able to establish “specific understandings” on the following:

-Facilities used for prepositioning 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 U.S. once the approved activity is completed

-Stronger language on non-prepositioning of prohibited weapons

Sorreta said the Philippines and the U.S. were able to flesh out some details on humanitarian aid and disaster relief, including discussions on how training, equipment and materiel for maritime domain awareness would be used for HADR efforts.

A number of provisions in the proposed framework agreement, however, are subject to further discussion, including the substantive issue of duration, he said.

“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,” Sorreta said.

The Philippines and the U.S. began on Aug. 14 negotiations on a framework agreement on the IRP, an arrangement that will help the country achieve a minimum credible defense amid territorial threats and bolster plans to modernize the armed forces.

Based on the agreed minutes released after the negotiations, the next round of talks will be held in the second week of September in the U.S..

The Philippine panel is composed of Batino, Sorreta, Department of Justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.

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