China welcomes RP troops training

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 30): China welcomes RP troops training

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua to Manila on Friday said the Philippines can send soldiers to China for training exercises, but he noted the legal limitation on having joint military exercises in the Philippines without forging a comprehensive agreement,

“Terrorism is the common enemy both China and the Philippines are facing, and we would like to have intelligence sharing and joint training, but as for military exercises, we are working on it but it might come later because you have legal limits,” he said during an interview at the 90th Anniversary of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) celebration in Makati Shangri-La.

“Without agreement in this regard, we cannot conduct joint military exercises in the Philippines, but if the military of the Philippines would like to send troops to conduct training exercises in China, they are most welcome,” he added.

President Duterte expressed openness in having joint military exercises with China in Mindanao as one way to quell terrorism and extremism in the region. This comes as the two countries enter a period of developing warm bilateral relationship despite maritime dispute in the South China Sea.

Present during the PLA event, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is positive prospect on joint military training with the Chinese since both sides have already forged a military-to-military agreement on exchanges of students.

He said, however, the two sides have not yet reached talks on having agreements that extend to bigger forces. “Later on, as we go along, we can also develop the mechanism that we can exercise... but that would be in the future.”

Earlier, he explained that an agreement or memorandum is necessary for such activity to determine who will participate, what is the purpose of the undertaking and where the exercises will be held.
“This is important because they will be entering our territorial waters. And if their sailors will get on land, there may be a need for a visiting forces agreement to be concurred by the Senate,” he said.

When asked of his expectations given the recent turnover of Chinese military equipment to the Philippines, Lorenzana said “in the future, maybe we can acquire some more bigger equipment like planes maybe, or drones or ship or fast boats, and that will be good for our defense, for the protection of our land.”

Officials from the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), meanwhile, delivered at least 1,000 weapons to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) amid ongoing clashes between government forces and Islamic States-inspired terrorists in Marawi City.

According to United States Embassy in Manila, 1,040 2.75” rocket motors and 992 2.75? rockets were delivered following Washington’s recent turnover of two Cessna planes to the Philippines on Thursday.

“These timely transfers greatly enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) counterterrorism efforts. They are part of a series of upcoming transfers from the US military to multiple branches of the AFP through both MLSA and the security assistance program,” said the embassy in a statement.
“Through the MLSA, the AFP is able to receive select munitions and equipment from US military stock in an accelerated process reserved for allies and close partners of the United States,” it added.

The US said the munitions and weapons deliveries will enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism capabilities and directly support AFP members actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, including Marawi.  

Upcoming weapons deliveries include 250 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 1,000 M203 grenade launchers to the AFP through the security assistance program.

The embassy vowed that as “a proud and steadfast ally of the Philippines” they will continue to provide support to the AFP’s long-term modernization goals and counterterrorism needs.

During the turnover ceremony of two Cessna planes in Pasay City, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said closer cooperation with Washington in terms of anti-terrorism is expected.

“More participation in the Philippines and United States cooperation in general, not in particular in Marawi City,” he said.

“It has been the topic for the last 30 years and they have taken note we are sensitive about operating on our own land so they will not do it unless we request it and I haven’t heard, and I cannot answer if there is a request from foreign troops to operate in our land because I’m not part of the group that makes decision,” he explained.

“Technical support is different from having Americans doing the work,” he added.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/china-welcomes-rp-troops-training