Phl, US conclude new round of talks on American troops' presence

MANILA, Philippines - The fifth round of the talks on the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country ended last week with officials claiming that a “common understanding on key issues” has been achieved.

However, the government, which vowed to be transparent on the negotiations, did not provide specific details in the statement it issued to the media.

“The Philippines and the United States negotiating panels successfully concluded the fifth round of negotiations on enhanced defense cooperation here with both sides arriving at common understanding on key issues such as security and related topics while clarifying their respective views on other matters,” the statement read.

The statement, which was released Wednesday afternoon, merely contained generalities that negotiators have been talking about since the talks started last August.

“The Philippines and the United States negotiating panels reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing their cooperation in the security and related fields, particularly in humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” it read.

The statement went on to reiterate the much-repeated line that the agreement must be guided by international legal instruments like the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement and consistent with the constitution and existing laws.

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chairman of the Philippine negotiating panel, described the negotiations as "candid yet friendly."

He said the key fundamental principles on Philippine sovereignty and interests were "fully articulated and amplified."

The Philippines and the US negotiators have conducted five rounds of negotiations since August.

In November, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin admitted that the talks on the increased rotational presence have hit an impasse due to the failure of the two panels to reach a deal on temporary US facilities to be set up in the country.

Despite the issues stalling the talks, the Philippine panel remains optimistic about the prospects of the negotiations.

The Philippines and the US have adopted the policy on increased rotational presence amid efforts by China to enhance its presence in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The agreement with the US was supposed to enable the Philippines to achieve a “minimum credible defense.”

Officials have given assurances that the agreement would not violate existing laws and would not lead to the establishment of permanent US bases.