PH, US moving closer to signing military deal

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 10): PH, US moving closer to signing military deal

“Significant progress was made” during the sixth round of negotiations on the “Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement” between the Philippines and the United States that would allow an increased rotational presence of American forces in the country, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

The DND described the latest discussions between the two parties as “substantive and productive” and that “significant progress was made.”

According to the DND statement, the two panels went through the entire draft agreement and reached consensus on many provisions, including on the proposed accord’s preamble, purpose and scope, definition of terms, ownership of constructed infrastructure, coordination on security, contracting procedures, and resolution of disputes.

Once approved, the agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) facilities with elements of the US military on a rotational basis within parameters consistent with the Constitution and laws.

“This fresh round has clearly shown the shared commitment of both parties to enhance cooperation in defense, security, and related fields, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” said DND Undersecretary and chair of the Philippine negotiating panel Pio Lorenzo Batino.

“The further exchanges of views have helped pave the way for the formulation of mutually agreeable language,” he added.

The latest round of negotiations was held last week in Washington, D.C. The Philippines and United States negotiating panels are scheduled to meet again in Manila in late March to work on remaining issues.

After the reconstitution of the Philippine negotiating panel and before the fifth round of talks last January 30-31, the Philippine side presented a full draft text which more comprehensively articulated the Philippines’ positions that which are consistent with the Philippine Constitution and relevant laws as well as informed by the country’s historical experiences.

At the instance of the Philippine panel, the United States agreed to the inclusion of provisions on environment and safety, and opportunities for potential Philippine suppliers of goods, products and services.

Batino emphasized that, as in the preceding five rounds, the Philippine negotiating panel is guided by the principles of full respect for Philippine sovereignty, non-permanence of US troops, and no US basing in the Philippines, mutuality of benefits and respect for the Philippine Constitution, including the prohibition against nuclear weapons.

The other members of the Philippine negotiating panel are Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Justice Department Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, and DND Assistant Secretary for strategic assessments Raymund Jose Quilop.

http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-us-moving-closer-to-signing-military-deal/