Increase in US forces for Philippines
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2012, Thursday
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AN agreement on the number of US military ships, aircraft and troops rotating through the Philippines was reached yesterday, Filipino officials said, as tension simmers with China over maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Senior US and Philippine officials met in Manila to discuss strengthening security and economic ties.
Philippine defense and diplomatic officials said they expected to see more US ships, aircraft and troops for training exercises and disaster and relief operations.
"What we are discussing right now is increasing the rotational presence of US forces," Carlos Sorreta, the foreign ministry's assistant secretary for American affairs, told reporters. He said a five-year joint US-Philippine military exercise plan would be approved this week.
The size of the increase in the US military assets in the Philippines, a former United States colony, was unclear.
Pio Lorenzo Batino, Philippine deputy defense minister, said there were "substantial discussions" on a possible new framework allowing Washington to put equipment in the Southeast Asian state.
"There has been no discussion yet on specifics," he said, adding that the new framework was discussed in the context of increasing rotational presence.
US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the two allies' relationship was "in a renaissance."
The discussions come as the Philippines, Australia and other parts of the region have seen a resurgence of US warships, planes and personnel under Washington's so-called "pivot" in foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia announced last year.
US and Philippine officials say there is no plan to revive permanent US military bases in the Philippines - the last were closed in 1992 - and that the increased presence would help provide relief during disasters.
"The increase rotation presence is in areas where we have been traditionally exercising," said Sorreta.
"There are other areas for example where we have been experiencing more disasters. So we might be expanding exercises there."
A US official said Washington was not ready to wade directly into the territorial dispute in the South China Sea and instead would focus on strengthening security ties with long-standing allies such as the Philippines.
"I'm sure it will come up, but we aren't trying to step in and 'solve' that issue. We really want the solution to be done by the claimants themselves and are hoping the Code of Conduct discussions move forward," said the official, referring to a Code of Conduct aimed at easing the risk of naval flashpoints.
Senior US and Philippine officials met in Manila to discuss strengthening security and economic ties.
Philippine defense and diplomatic officials said they expected to see more US ships, aircraft and troops for training exercises and disaster and relief operations.
"What we are discussing right now is increasing the rotational presence of US forces," Carlos Sorreta, the foreign ministry's assistant secretary for American affairs, told reporters. He said a five-year joint US-Philippine military exercise plan would be approved this week.
The size of the increase in the US military assets in the Philippines, a former United States colony, was unclear.
Pio Lorenzo Batino, Philippine deputy defense minister, said there were "substantial discussions" on a possible new framework allowing Washington to put equipment in the Southeast Asian state.
"There has been no discussion yet on specifics," he said, adding that the new framework was discussed in the context of increasing rotational presence.
US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the two allies' relationship was "in a renaissance."
The discussions come as the Philippines, Australia and other parts of the region have seen a resurgence of US warships, planes and personnel under Washington's so-called "pivot" in foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia announced last year.
US and Philippine officials say there is no plan to revive permanent US military bases in the Philippines - the last were closed in 1992 - and that the increased presence would help provide relief during disasters.
"The increase rotation presence is in areas where we have been traditionally exercising," said Sorreta.
"There are other areas for example where we have been experiencing more disasters. So we might be expanding exercises there."
A US official said Washington was not ready to wade directly into the territorial dispute in the South China Sea and instead would focus on strengthening security ties with long-standing allies such as the Philippines.
"I'm sure it will come up, but we aren't trying to step in and 'solve' that issue. We really want the solution to be done by the claimants themselves and are hoping the Code of Conduct discussions move forward," said the official, referring to a Code of Conduct aimed at easing the risk of naval flashpoints.
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