US defense secretary in RP on May 31

MANILA, Philippines - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit the Philippines this week to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the two countries, diplomatic sources disclosed yesterday.

Sources said Gates is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Sunday, May 31, and will leave the next day.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro confirmed to The STAR that he will have a one-on-one meeting with Gates on Sunday, but details of the meeting are still being worked out.

U.S. Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson declined to give details on the US defense chief’s visit to the Philippines, saying visits of U.S. Cabinet officials are usually announced from Washington.

Gates had assured allies in the region that the U.S. remains committed to Asia.

He dismissed concerns that Iraq and Afghanistan have distracted the U.S from Asia, saying Washington has never been more engaged with Asian countries and continues to have strong and enduring interests in the region.

Gates will visit the Philippines after the brouhaha over the sudden departure of US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith after his conviction for rape was overturned by the Court of Appeals. Much of the public uproar could have been avoided had the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which was informed by the US Embassy of his departure, been more transparent.

The incident has led to renewed calls for the review of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) because of the unequal terms in the agreement over the treatment of US and Philippine troops.

Despite this, the Philippines welcomed increased aid to the country in the proposed 2010 US government budget submitted by President Obama to the U.S. Congress last May 7.

In the proposed budget, an estimated $667 million is to be allocated to the Philippines.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the amount represents a substantial increase from previous years and can be taken as a reflection of the appreciation and value the Obama Administration gives to the strategic Philippines-US partnership.

Filipino World War II veterans have also been assured of U.S. budget support in the amount of $198 million for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.