Palace: No permanent presence for US troops

MANILA, Philippines - Greater access – not permanent presence – is all that United States forces can get from a deal being worked out with the Philippines, Malacañang said yesterday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte gave the assurance in a press briefing even as she stressed there was “no done deal” yet as foreign affairs and defense officials begin talks today with US negotiators to increase the rotational presence of American troops in the country.

The talks come at a time when the Philippines is seeking international support against China’s aggressive staking of its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea.

Valte said the “modalities” of greater US troop access would still have to be discussed by the two panels.

“We are after high-impact and high-value exercises that will benefit both sides,” she said.

Helping the country build a credible defense and improving its disaster response capabilities are the main objectives of the negotiations, she said.

“We understand that when the modalities have been
threshed out, it will help towards that,” she said.

Valte said she couldn’t say whether the US would be allowed to build or improve facilities in the country to accommodate a bigger number of troops during exercises.

Allowing the US military such option may require a separate agreement that needs Senate ratification, according to observers.

She said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had made it clear that whatever is agreed upon by the two panels would be in accordance with the Constitution and other relevant agreements, including the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951.

The Philippine negotiating panel is composed of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.

Eric John, senior negotiator for military agreements of the State Department, leads the US panel.

Valte said the government would regularly update the public – through the media – on the progress of the negotiations for the sake of transparency.

On speculations that raising the number of US troops in the Philippines was meant to counter China’s growing aggressiveness, Valte said: “While some may have that comment off the bat, we would rather see after the details have been finally threshed out.”

But for an administration lawmaker, the proposed military arrangement with the US is a foil to the “intense form of bullying from China.”

“Our country has resorted to peaceful means by bringing our claim before the Arbitral Tribunal.  Nonetheless, China continues to refuse the resolution of the territorial dispute,” CIBAC party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said.

“The Philippines and its officials have the responsibility to ensure that we fight for our sovereignty.  Otherwise, we would be left to the mercy of a nation, which uses its gained economic and military prowess,” he said.

Tugna said negotiations for an increased rotational presence of US troops in the country should be within the framework of the Constitution and other relevant agreements.

“We have resorted earlier to peaceful and amicable means of settlement of the territorial dispute. But our claims remain unheeded.  Now, it is time that we take steps to further protect what is rightfully ours and let no one manipulate or dictate what we can do,” he said.

Concerns raised

In Zamboanga City, Mayor Isabel Climaco-Salazar cited what she called “vague” terms of reference on the presence of US troops during a closed door meeting yesterday with Gazmin, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

She said even the VFA was not clear about the scope of operations of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (US JSOTF-P).

“As to the years of their presence in the city of Zamboanga, they have not given us the long-term plan and the national government is up again in discussing this issue,” Salazar said on the sidelines of an anti-terror security briefing.

Established in 2002, the US JSOTF-P has 600 personnel deployed on a rotational basis and based at the heavily secured Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City.

Salazar had requested the US government to specify the extent and scope of operation of its forces in the region. But she said the US State Department merely advised her to seek answers from the Philippine government.

Salazar said the US forces need to help improve the city’s airport since its runway is not designed to accommodate big US military aircraft, including C-17 Globe Master transport planes.

She said the city government collects no landing fees from the US because the VFA provides the US military free access to Zamboanga’s ports.

Former airport officials earlier said large US aircraft could have caused the cracks on the runway and tarmac of the airport.

Meanwhile, militant groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan held a rally outside Camp Aguinaldo yesterday to protest the plan to increase US military presence in the country.With Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Roel Pareño