Gazmin: Access, not basing, for US

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said yesterday that the US can be given temporary access to Philippine bases in times of extreme emergency.

However, Gazmin told reporters the Americans cannot set up installations in the country.

“The Constitution prohibits (the setting up of US bases in the Philippines),” he said.

“If the worst case scenario happens and it becomes a shooting war, they can have access (to Philippine bases).What I meant then was access which is temporary in nature,” he added, referring to the escalatio of tensions in the Korean peninsula.

Gazmin said the increased rotational presence of US troops in the Philippines was tackled during a meeting between Philippine and US officials in Washington last year.

“The technical working groups agree that when you say access here, they can have access to our bases but they do not own the base,” he said.

US troops have been replenishing supplies in Philippine military bases, Gazmin said.

2 new ships for Navy

Two brand-new frigates will be acquired for the Navy.

National Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told reporters acquiring second-hand ships would be more costly in the long run.

“As much as possible, if we have budget, we will buy new ones,” he said.

Manalo said the government would spend about P18 billion for the two brand new ships.

Previously, P12 billion was allotted for two used frigates.

Manalo said the two new ships would be acquired through public bidding.

The procurement process may be completed within the second quarter of the year, he added.

Companies from South Korea, Spain and Singapore have expressed interest to join the bidding, Manalo said.

The government originally sought to acquire the vessels through government-to-government transactions.

Officials are now eyeing a public bidding reportedly due to the interest of several suppliers to provide equipment to the military.

A government-to-government transaction is usually faster than a public bidding.

Navy ready to protect Phl

In a statement, Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues, said the Navy is committed to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

“Despite its current operational challenges and limitations, your Navy will remain steadfast and vigilant in its mandate to ensure our nation’s territorial integrity,” he said.

“The Philippine Navy supports the development with regard to the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China before the ITLOS (International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea).”

Arevalo said the Navy abides by the state’s advocacy for peaceful and legal means of staking its claims and interests in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippine Navy shall continue to secure for the Filipino people our country’s rich maritime resources in the West Philippine Sea, which are clearly within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone,” he said.

Arevalo said the government is working to upgrade the Navy’s capabilities to secure the country’s territory.

“The move will empower the Navy to further its mission to secure the country’s territory, provide humanitarian assistance in times of great need, and help government realize its peace and development initiatives,” he said.