Phl, US committed to deal on increased rotational presence

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and the United States are committed to sealing an agreement on increased rotational presence of American forces in the country the soonest time possible, but President Aquino said details are still being ironed out.

Aquino yesterday made this clear when asked if the accord would be signed during the visit of US President Barack Obama in April.

“Well, it’s not yet finished. There are meetings that still need to be held to iron out all details of the rotational presence to meet our needs and America’s needs,” Aquino told reporters after attending the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s 21st Travel Tour Expo 2014.

He said both sides were focused on expediting the completion of the agreement but there is still the need to factor in Philippine and US laws in the process.

“The principles that we want to uphold are clear... As they say, the devil is in the details,” the President said.

After a difficult fourth round in October, the Philippines and the US went back to the negotiating table to finalize the military-to-military agreement that would allow American troops increased rotational presence and more access to military bases in the Philippines.

The negotiations resumed after the US military’s prompt response to the Philippines’ call for help after Super Typhoon Yolanda killed thousands and flattened towns and cities in Eastern Visayas.

The previous round did not go too well because of disagreements over “critical provisions.”

While the Philippine panel allowed the US to construct “temporary” facilities in the Philippines, the US wants to limit the access of Filipino troops to these facilities.

Manila wants both equal opportunity and equal access.

The agreement is being done as the Philippines seeks assistance from the US, a treaty ally, in confronting China’s expansionist activities in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea. The Philippines has raised its case against China before an international arbitration tribunal.

China’s declaration of an air defense identification zone over islands disputed with Japan has further raised tensions in the region. Beijing is reportedly planning to impose a second ADIZ, this time over the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.