Reyes off to US today for talks with Rumsfeld

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes is leaving for the United States today for talks with his US counterpart, Donald Rumsfeld.

Reyes said yesterday that he and Rumsfeld would discuss ways to push forward President Arroyo’s orders to Reyes "to enhance the strategic partnership between the Philippines and the US" following the successful conclusion of the joint Balikatan 02-1 exercises against the Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom group in Zamboanga and Basilan.

"I will discuss with US Secretary Rumsfeld the broad range of the RP-US defense and security relations," he said.

Reyes said he and his US counterpart would discuss the allocation of some $55 million in US military aid committed to the Philippines by the US government after Mrs. Arroyo was among the first world leaders to declare support for the US-led war on terror.

"We have definite ideas on how to allocate the $25 million," Reyes said. "But the $30 million will be up for discussion."

He added that "the $30 million will be for the fight against global terrorism, primarily."

Armed Forces chief Gen. Roy Cimatu earlier said part of the US assistance fund will be used for training and equipping two more light reaction companies (LRC) that are up for joint training with US troops this October.

Each soldier in the 70-man companies will be equipped with modern body armor, up-to-date communications devices and firearms, such as squad assault weapons (SAW) – heavy machine guns that can fire bullets at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute. The recent Balikatan 02-1 exercises also trained and equipped two LRCs.

However, there is nothing definite with regards to the controversial Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA).

"That (MLSA) is not being discussed yet, but I’m sure that when the time comes, that will be tackled," Reyes said.

Reyes earlier said the Philippine draft of the MLSA has been sent to Washington for comments.

Reyes in 2004?

However, the militant student groups Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and Nnara-Youth said Reyes’ US visit and meeting with Rumsfeld indicate that Reyes is presenting himself to the US as a viable presidential bet in the 2004 elections.

Pamalakaya national chairman Fernando Hicap said: "President Arroyo would not know, but (Reyes’) visit (to the US) might entail the presentation of Reyes’ credentials as the next president of the Philippines."

Hicap said it is in Reyes’ interests to follow the footsteps of former President Fidel Ramos, who was AFP chief of staff and Defense Secretary during the Aquino administration prior to winning the presidential race in 1992.

Pamalakaya said Reyes is parading himself as the champion of US interests in the Philippines. Besides committing to spending half of the US military aid on wiping out the communist insurgency, Pamalakaya said, Reyes has tasked himself with lobbying for the approval of the MLSA.

Nnara-Youth secretary general Carl Anthony Ala said the political buzz is strong about Reyes’ presidential aspirations: "The US will settle for Reyes as its principal bet in the 2004 presidential derby in case (President) Arroyo fails to curb the rising tide of her political isolation from the people." – Paolo Romero, Sandy Araneta and AFP