Talks on US troops' presence in Phl resume

MANILA, Philippines - Talks on a deal allowing increased rotational presence of American troops in the country resumed Tuesday, 10 days before the visit of United States (US) President Barack Obama in the Philippines.

The fourth round of talks hosted by Manila was expected to cover arrangements that would grant the US access to Philippine facilities.

Details of the negotiations were unavailable as of press time. However, Philippine negotiators led by Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino are expected to brief the media about the meeting on Thursday.

Negotiators could not say whether an agreement would be crafted in time for Obama’s visit on Oct. 11 to 12.

“The agreement will be signed if the Philippines is sure it has gotten what it wants. It’s when we are sure that we met the parameters given to us. It depends on how the agreement progresses. It may come in soon it may come in later,” Philippine panel spokesman Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta said recently.

Officials claimed previously that they are past the halfway mark in the negotiations but could not say when a deal would be completed.

Militant groups, however, greeted the resumption of the negotiations with protests.

“The Obama visit is the incentive for the Philippine government to fast-track the approval of the Framework for Increased Rotational Deployment, which is a de facto basing agreement violative of our national sovereignty and constitution,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes.

“The claim that this pact will enable our country to develop a minimum credible defense posture is a sham, a deceptive ploy concocted by the Aquino and Obama regimes,” he added.

Philippine negotiators have belied allegations that the framework agreement would allow the US to set-up permanent bases in the country.

They claimed the talks would be guided by the principles of strict compliance with the Philippine Constitution, laws, and jurisprudence, Philippine sovereignty, non-permanence of US troops in Philippine territory, non-exclusivity of use of facilities by the US side, and mutuality of benefits.

The Philippines and the US have adopted a policy of increased rotational presence amid China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea.

Security officials believe providing temporary access to US troops will help the country attain a minimum credible defense. – Alexis Romero