US Senate OKs enhanced defense ties

MANILA, Philippines - The United States Senate unanimously passed on Tuesday a resolution calling for increased defense and security cooperation with the Philippines.

The US Senate’s gesture was meant to demonstrate Washington’s commitment to honor its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines.

The Philippine embassy in Washington said Senate Resolution 481, sponsored by Sen. Richard Lugar (Republican, Indiana), was approved unanimously by the chamber on the eve of the three-day official working visit to Washington of President Aquino.

The US Senate resolution came amid efforts by the Philippine government to drum up support against China’s incursion in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales. Chinese vessels have remained in the area since April 10 when the standoff began.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. welcomed the adoption of the resolution, which Lugar introduced in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the MDT.

The treaty, signed on Aug. 30, 1951, requires both nations to support each other if either is attacked.

“This is a very positive development that further underscores the importance the United States places on its alliance with the Philippines,” Cuisia said. “The Filipino people greatly appreciate this gesture by our friends in the United States Senate.”

Cuisia said the resolution calls for increased cooperation and enhanced bilateral security ties between the two countries, including support for Philippine defense modernization, the rotational presence of US forces on Philippine soil, and increased joint humanitarian and disaster relief

preparedness activities.

The resolution also urged Washington to continue efforts to assist Manila in the areas of maritime security, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and related communications infrastructure to enhance information sharing and overall military professionalism.

The resolution cited the support the US government recently extended to the Philippines, including the delivery to the Philippine Navy of two decommissioned US Coast Guard cutters, as well as the assistance provided by US forces in recent calamities in the country.

It also cited the April 30, 2012 meetings of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin during which the two US officials declared that Washington remains [fully committed to honoring mutual obligations with the Philippines and that the alliance continues to serve as a pillar of the Philippines-US relationship and a source of stability in the region.”

The resolution also underscored the shared interest of the two countries “in maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce and transit of people across the seas and subscribe to a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas through peaceful, collaborative, multilateral and diplomatic processes within the framework of international law.”

“The Senate confirms the alliance’s centrality and enduring value as one of the key pillars of peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and as a key tool in addressing the emerging security environment in the region,” the resolution read.

The US Senate, through its resolution, also called on Manila and Washington to continue high-level consultations.

Senators John Kerry (Democrat, Massachusetts), James Inhofe (Republican, Oklahoma), Jim Webb (Democrat, Virginia), Kelly Ayotte (Democrat, New Hampshire), Tad Cochran (Republican, Mississippi) and Daniel Inouye (Democrat, Hawaii) co-sponsored the resolution.

In a statement released by his office, Lugar said: “The United States-Philippines relationship represents shared sacrifice in defense of freedom. While historically we have worked well together on multiple fronts, it is necessary that the two countries discern new ways to expand trade, account for their mutual defense and promote stability throughout the region.”