DFA wants stricter rules on Visiting Forces Agreement

MANILA, Philippines - Stricter rules covering the presence of US military forces in the Philippines will be enforced in light of the decision of Manila and Washington to strengthen defense cooperation and stage more joint military exercises.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, in an exclusive interview with News5, admitted the 2006 rape case involving US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was the main driver behind the review of the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“We are looking at that (the Smith case), we are trying to see how we can respond to some of the criticisms we received regarding that case,” Del Rosario said.

Smith was convicted of raping a Filipina in 2006 while on station in Subic. Smith was briefly detained in a Philippine jail but was later transferred to a facility within the US embassy – a move that was roundly criticized.

In 2009, the Court of Appeals overturned the lower court’s conviction, which paved the way for the US to fly Smith out immediately.

Del Rosario admitted they wanted to clearly define the provisions on jurisdiction of US forces involved in criminal activity and the “questions on the quality of the detention facilities.”

Del Rosario noted they are very aware of the concerns raised over the social impact of the presence of US troops, referring to prostitution.

“We are reviewing the VFA now to make sure it is fine-tuned, we are doing that now and it is a work in progress,” he explained, emphasizing “where we can tighten up, we are looking to tighten things up a bit… We don’t have final output yet.”

Del Rosario, along with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, will meet with US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on April 30, 2012 in Washington for the first ever 2 + 2 meeting between the Philippines and the United States.

“We feel there is great value in this arrangement because there is a synergy between foreign policy and defense cooperation that can be established here,” he said. “It embraces the full gamut of the bilateral agenda.”

Meanwhile, the Philippines is not worried the renewed military cooperation with the US will serve as a new irritant with China.

Defense cooperation and expanding economic ties through trade and investments are the main topics for the 2 + 2 meet and the Philippines will move to capitalize on the fact the US is its main strategic partner.

“We see it as an opportunity for us to be able to maximize the strategic partnership as well as the treaty alliance with the US,” he said.

Del Rosario said that while the Philippines is open to exploring military ties with other countries to develop a “minimum credible defense posture,” the one with the US “is foremost because they are our treaty ally.”

Del Rosario did not say if they will present a “shopping list of military equipment” although the US will be turning over a second Hamilton-class coast guard cutter later this year.

But one area that can be operationalized immediately is joint military exercises and training, with the US plan to increase the “rotational presence” of its forces in the Philippines.

“We are looking at interoperability… entering into a partnership with the United States in terms of having more joint exercises, we have to improve the capability and capacity building of our people,” he said.