Consultation on PHL-U.S. military deal still ongoing -- Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 26): Consultation on PHL-U.S. military deal still ongoing -- Palace

Malacanang on Saturday said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDC) agreement between the Philippine and United States, which will lead to the return U.S. troops to the Philippines on a rotational basis, is still undergoing consultation.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that it has yet to be announced if the agreement could be signed in time for U.S. President Barack Obama’s state-visit to the Philippines on Monday and Tuesday (April 28-29).

“I was able to communicate with Defense Undersecretary Pio Batino who heads the Philippine panel, he said that the Philippine and U.S. panels are in continuing consultation,” Valte said over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

She further said it will be the Philippine panel to give progress updates on what is being discussed on the EDC agreement.

“We can expect updates perhaps tomorrow (Sunday) from the panel,” Valte added. “We should wait for an announcement from them."

Valte raised the issue following a report from the Wall Street Journal which mentioned that “the centerpiece of the trip (of President Obama) is expected to be the signing of a new agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation.”

She earlier said that the Philippine government was in no hurry to get the EDC agreement signed before President Obama’s visit to the Philippines.

What was more important, she said, is assuring that what is being discussed and agreed upon conforms with the 1987 Constitution and is under the framework of the existing Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=638224