No consensus yet between Phl, US in military bases issue

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and the United States (US) have yet to reach a consensus on 'critical' provisions of a deal that would grant American troops greater access to military bases in the country.

After four rounds of talks, officials admitted on Thursday that there are still gaps that need to be threshed out by the two sides. 

“While we have narrowed down the discussions to these substantive issues, there are still gaps in our positions. Both panels scrutinized all the proposals that were put on the negotiating table,” Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batno said in a press briefing.

“There still needs work to be done by both panels so we can reach consensus on these provisions,” he added.

Batino, who heads the Philippine panel, said there were more “focused discussions” on the scope, installations and facilities, defense equipment and supplies and security but declined to elaborate.

“We have different concerns and different requirements in internal processes. We cannot dwell too much on the details because I don’t think a discussion of these details in public will be respectful of the negotiating process,” Batino said.

Philippine panel member Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta claimed that the negotiations are moving despite the differences in views.

“We try to meet halfway based on the instructions given to us. The discussions are cordial. Both sides are professional. We don’t slam tables or throw water at each other. Both sides want an agreement but both want to make sure that it is workable,” Sorreta said. 

Sorreta hopes the differences will be settled when they sit down again for the fifth round of talks, the date and venue of which have yet to be determined.

“There remain major details of the substantive issues which both sides need to iron out and we want to make sure that this agreement would be mutually beneficial,” he said.

Officials said the negotiations were very “cordial” and “friendly” but at times “frank.” 

During the fourth round of talks, negotiators also tackled the possibility of crafting a mechanism for regular bilateral consultations to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement. 

Officials still could not say when a deal will be forged, saying there are “no hard and fast rules in the process of negotiations.” Sorreta previously said that four to six rounds of talks may be needed to come up with the framework agreement. 

“We acknowledge that despite differences in the opinions and in our concerns, there is recognition of the continued growth of Philippine- US relations. We hope this framework agreement will contribute to this growth,” Batino said. 

The Philippines is trying to forge an agreement on increased rotational presence to achieve “minimum credible defense” amid China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.