DND’s Gazmin says Navy, PAF to open base in Subic even sans US

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 15): DND’s Gazmin says Navy, PAF to open base in Subic even sans US

President Aquino and his military appear to be angling for a shooting war with military power China as the country’s Defense Chief, Voltaire Gazmin, yesterday announced that the the Philippines’ Air Force and Navy will go ahead full speed with their plan to open camps in the Subic Freeport which camps will be facing the disputed South China Sea, even if the proposed American presence does not happen, since a constitutional challenge has been lodged before the Supreme Court over the issue of the Enchanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which would allow the American forces to stay in military bases all over the archipelago.

Gazmin, in a report by Associated Press, said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Navy and the Air Force, will go ahead with the establishment of military facilities inside the Subic Bay Freeport which used to be a US naval base.

Gazmin said that the plan which involves the opening of Air Force and Navy facilities in Subic will proceed even without the presence of US forces. It is certain however, that the American forces and nuclear ships will likely be making use of the Subic base for probable military action.

The Philippines has already been allowing the US warships into the country, justifying these visits as US forces’ “R and R.”

The plan was unveiled two years ago to open air force and navy camps at the Subic Bay Freeport so fighter jets and frigates can respond faster to any contingency in the disputed waters.

The Philippines signed an accord last year to allow allied American forces to temporarily station in camps, including Subic, but the pact became uncertain after its constitutionality was questioned.

The Philippine and US government signed the EDCA in April 2014 to allow US troops to use military facilities in Manila.

However, several groups questioned the constitutionality of the agreement before the Supreme Court. The petition is currently pending resolution.

Among the areas considered for US use under EDCA are Subic, Clark, a former airbase of the Americans, Fort Magsaysay, Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Ulugan Bay and Antonio Bautista Air Base both in Palawan.

During previous interviews, DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez cited the location and the existence of a deep port that make Subic strategic.

“Subic is really one of those most suited for increased capability of our Air Force, there is no question about that,” Galvez said.

“It’s location is very strategic…if we need to go to West Philippine Sea, it’s there already we don’t deny that. Then it’s port and is a deepwater port,” Galvez also said.

This announcement done by Gazmin on the opening of bases in Subic and Clark will definitely serve as yet another irritant in the China-Philippines relationship whih has alredy been soured.

The DND, also yesterday branded as “militarization” China’s plan to put up structures on reclaimed areas in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Spokesman Galvez warned that China’s continued “violation” of the Declaration of Conduct on South China Sea or West Philippine Sea could trigger more crisis in the region.

“This is the worst stage of all, this is the militarization stage, and it must be stopped, otherwise, it will be the tipping point that will plunge the entire region including the peace loving Chinese communities into a deeper and irreversible crisis,” said Galvez.

China has said it halted its reclamation activities on disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea but announced it would also put up structures in the reclaimed islands in support of activities such as search and rescue operations.

The AFP has accused China of conducting massive reclamation activities on at least seven reefs and islets under the Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea.

One of the developed areas, Subi Reef, has been the origin of at least six cases of harassments against Philippine patrol in the area, with China claiming the Filipino pilots were entering a Chinese territory.

China has built a runway within the reef, which military officials said could accommodate Chinese aircraft that could strike deeper into the country’s territory.

“For whom are those search and rescue facilities for? Is it for our ships and installations that they are threatening to destroy?” asked Galvez.

“Regardless of what supposedly good details the Chinese leadership informs the peace-focused and rules-based international community, they illegally and blatantly continue with their aggression as these are mere elements of their island-building militarization which needs to stop and be dismantled,” Galvez added.

“Again, this is what we’ve been warning the international community about. It has become all too evident that the Chinese leadership had no intention of honoring its commitment to the Asean Declaration of Conduct all along. They’ve said one thing and have done another,” Galvez added.

Relatedly, Galvez said that Japan has expressed interest in conducting more exercises with the Philippines in the future, particularly on amphibious landing exercises and amphibious operations.

“Admiral Kawano also expressed interest in conducting more exercises with the PH in the future, particularly amphibious landing exercises and amphibious operations,” said Galvez.

“The SND (secretary of national defense) has welcomed Admiral Kawano’s interest in more activities with the PH, emphasizing that with regard to conducting such activities, a VFA (visiting forces agreement) with Japan would be needed,” added Galvez.

For his part, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri said that the Japanese Diet must pass laws that would allow Tokyo to sell or extend assistance in terms of assets and equipment to the Philippine military.

Kawano paid a courtesy call to Iriberri on Wednesday in Camp Aguinaldo.

“We discussed how we can further strengthen our military to military relationship based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges,” said Iriberri.

The Philippine Navy has submitted a “wish list” to Japan that contains the assets and equipment that they want to obtain from Tokyo. The list is already being looked into.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/dnd-s-gazmin-says-navy-paf-to-open-base-in-subic-even-sans-us