US access: Phl territory, sovereignty to be protected

MANILA, Philippines - As negotiations began yesterday for increased presence of American troops on Philippine soil, officials assured the public there is no way such an arrangement will compromise the country’s sovereignty.

“We would like to assure the Filipino people that your government is committed to defending and protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, who heads the Philippine panel negotiating with the Americans.

“We will come to the negotiating table guided by the Philippine Constitution, utmost respect for sovereignty, and mutuality of benefits in any approved activity and deployment of equipment,” he added.

The first round of negotiations was held at the defense department building at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

With Sorreta in the Philippine panel were Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop.

State Department senior negotiator for military agreements Eric John led the US panel composed of State Department Attorney Advisor Elizabeth Jones, Brig. Gen. Joaquin Malavet, and Capt. Greg Bart.

“I exhort both panels to remain candid and frank so that the outcome of this undertaking will redound to the best interest of our two countries,” Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta said before the start of the negotiations.

The first round of talks started at 10 a.m. and ended at about 3:30 p.m. Details of the meeting were unavailable as of press time but officials are expected to hold a media briefing on the matter today.

Despite official denial, it is widely believed that China’s brazenness in staking its claim over almost the entire West Philippine Sea prompted Manila to negotiate for increased rotational presence of US troops.

More support

At least three more lawmakers have voiced their support for bigger US military presence in the country.

Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), said an expanded US military presence would deter “China’s expansionist ambitions which target resource-rich territories that already belong to its neighbors.”

It would also provide opportunities for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to learn from their American counterparts, he said.

He said increased US presence could also “provide the Philippines the much needed time to modernize its defensive capabilities.”

Another LP member, Rep. Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City, said Congress could always exercise its oversight power if the US military abuses the terms and conditions for its stay in the country.

“This is not a basing agreement, so I don’t think that we are faced with a constitutional impasse on this plan to increase rotational presence of US forces in the Philippines, especially in areas which are part of China’s expansionist agenda,” he said.

He said the planned increased rotational presence should be within the purview of the Visiting Forces Agreement.

For his part, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said such presence would not violate the Constitution so long as the US does not establish a military base or bring nuclear weapons to the country.

“If we lose nothing yet gain an edge in combating internal and external threats and aggressors, the planned increased presence is to our best interests. But we should make sure we retain oversight functions to review its actual implementation,” he said.

“Remember, in this global community it is incumbent upon all nations – whether big or small – to contribute in ensuring the security of all nations. Any tension or aggression that happens in one part of the world affects the global balance,” he added.

But sources in the Armed Forces said the Americans have been conducting military activities in the country for years almost unhampered even without an expanded access agreement.

“They’re now in Mindanao and in Luzon. Under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), their warships and fighter planes are often around,” an official who declined to be named said.

One official said American forces were even camped right inside AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. They also operate a camp inside Camp Navarro, home of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in Zamboanga City.

He said the communications equipment being used by US forces at Camp Aguinaldo were so powerful that they usually disrupt signals from other communications facilities at the camp.

Some AFP officials also expressed doubts on US readiness to fight for the Philippines against China. “We know it. They will not go to war with China because of us. They are just here to protect their own interests in the Asia-Pacific region,” a ranking official said.

Drone launch pad

In Davao City, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the Philippines may request for unmanned aerial vehicles or drones from the US for certain security operations.

“If ever our security forces would need them, especially in the searches in forest areas, then we may request from them (the US),” Roxas said on a local television show.With Jess Diaz, Ding Cervantes, Edith Regalado, Jaime Laude