Palace to verify report US nixed $300-M military aid requested by Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said Tuesday it will verify a New York Times report which claimed that the United States government rejected the supposed $300-million military aid requested by the Aquino administration.

The New York Times report published over the weekend said the Aquino government had private talks with the US to press for the military aid.

Citing information from an unnamed senior Filipino official, the report said the Philippines argued that it needs a "substantial buildup of planes and ships to deter Chinese expansionism."

The report said the Obama administration has so far rejected the request of its military ally because of worries over corruption in the Philippines.

"Wala tayong tuwirang information tungkol diyan at kailangan muna nating alamin kung ano ang isinasaad ng ulat na 'yan at berepikahin kung merong batayan," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing when asked to comment on the New York Times report.

Coloma also refuted the same New York Times report for claiming that the Philippines may invite the US to reopen a naval base in Subic, Zambales amid China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Coloma said it was illogical for the Aquino government to consider the reopening of US military bases since these are prohibited by the Constitution to operate on Philippine soil.

"Labag sa Konstitusyon 'yung pagkakaroon ng mga foreign military troops. At kahit kailanman ay hindi gumagawa ng labag sa Konstitusyon o batas ang ating pamahalaan.  Kaya walang batayan at walang katotohanan ang paratang na iyan," Coloma said.

During the visit of Obama to the Philippines last year, the two countries forged the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to advance the implementation of the decades-old Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

The new accord will increase the presence of US troops and military equipment in the Philippines, a move seen to counter China's activities in disputed territories.

In a speech, Obama said the US has an "ironclad commitment" to defend the Philippines. - Louis Bacani