The Philippines stands to gain from a proposed security deal with the US which gives them access to Philippine military bases, the Department of National Defense said Saturday.
“Humanitarian assistance and joint exercises are among those we can expect,” DND spokesman Peter Galvez told GMA News Online via text on Saturday.
Galvez explained that joint military exercises with US troops would “enhance their (Philippine troops) readiness.”
He added the security deal may also bring economic benefits for the Philippines.
“A possible example would be the provision of catering services,” Galvez said.
Although the government believes the country will benefit from allowing US troops access to Armed Forces of the Philippines facilities, Galvez reiterated that there will be no US bases in the Philippines.
Last Friday, the defense department announced that the US and Philippine panels agreed on security arrangements during the sixth round of talks held in Washington last week.
The Philippines agreed to allow US access to its military bases amid mounting concern over China's increasing assertiveness in disputed waters in the South China Sea, a part of which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea.
“The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain AFP facilities with elements of the US military,” DND Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino said.
Batino added that negotiations on the deal are 80 percent done. US military access to the Philippines is currently limited to annual joint exercises and port visits.
Both countries hope to finalize the deal before US President Barack Obama visits the Philippines in April.
‘De facto basing agreement’
Also on Saturday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) denounced the proposed agreement, saying giving US troops "unlimited and unqualified use of Philippine bases and facilities" violates the Constitution and Philippine sovereignty.
Bayan scored the proposed agreement for allowing the US to use Philippine military bases and to build their own facilities inside. It also said the agreement will allow an "indefinite number of troops in the country for an indefinite period of time."
Bayan scored the proposed agreement for allowing the US to use Philippine military bases and to build their own facilities inside. It also said the agreement will allow an "indefinite number of troops in the country for an indefinite period of time."
Although the government has said the agreement will not allow the US to set up its own military bases, Bayan said "the pact has all the features of a de facto basing agreement."
It added the proposed deal will not bring about a "substantial" modernization of the AFP nor will it "help our cause against the incursions made by China."
It added the proposed deal will not bring about a "substantial" modernization of the AFP nor will it "help our cause against the incursions made by China."
Bayan said it will oppose the agreement through street protests and by petitioning the Supreme Court if the deal is signed.
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