Filipino, not US, bases proposed to open in Subic - SBMA

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 21): Filipino, not US, bases proposed to open in Subic - SBMA

The proposed air and naval military installations to be set up here is not a permanent foreign base but mere training and forward launching facility for United States military personnel operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia explained this in a briefing with local-based media amid concerns raised by militant groups that US will again utilize Subic Bay as air and naval base.

“There is no truth that Subic Bay will again be occupied by US as its military base,” Garcia said.

He said that a 13-hectare space located at the end of the Subic Bay International Airport is all that is allocated for the Philippine Air Force where its 12 newly-acquired fighter trainer FA-50 jets from South Korea will be stationed upon arrival.

In addition, the Alava Pier and Riviera Wharf here will be used by the Philippine Navy, which is transferring its major operation from Sangley Point in Cavite due to depth issues.

“It cannot be considered a military base because of its size (13 ha.),” Garcia said.

But he admitted that because of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Treaty (EDCA), US planes and ships are expected to call ports on rotational basis.

Under EDCA, the Philippine government will allow US to build structures, store and position weapons, defense supplies and materiel, station troops, civilian personnel and defense contractors, transit and station vehicles, vessels, and aircraft for a period of 10 years.

The SBMA chairman believes that Subic Bay is the most strategic port in the country facing the West Philippine Sea to deploy navy and air force, in case of emergency.

Two more countries - Australia and Japan - are expressing interest in entering an agreement with the Philippine government for a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for the conduct of training and exercises with the Philippine counterparts.

Issues on the constitutionality of EDCA was highlighted and questioned before the Supreme Court (SC) by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada, and militant groups, saying it violates the Constitution which prohibits entry of foreign military base, personnel and vessels in the country.

“It is coming to a point when you take a stand. And in the situation when your fishing ground, like the Panatag Shoal, which gives foods and earnings to many Filipinos are being intruded by foreign fishermen, we have to take a stand,” Garcia said.

The US military presence in the West Philippine Sea, according to Garcia, will pose a power balance against Chinese aggressiveness, which wanted to occupy all the shoals and islets in the area. The area is known to be a rich fishing ground and source of livelihood for many Filipino fishermen.

He stressed that SBMA will always cooperate with the national government in the interest of national security.

When asked if the locators are being hampered by the proposed military installations here, Garcia responded that nothing had been changed except that the locators are happy to hear of the proposal.

“Makikinabang din po kasi sila (They will also benefit), especially those in the aircraft-related service providers, such as aircraft maintenance, fuels, catering, and others,” he said.

He also announced that among the preconditions of the agreement was that military installations should not prejudice the interest of the locators by giving priority on them for the use of the facilities inside the Freeport, specially the airport and seaport.

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