The Philippine Territory

MANILA, Philippines — The United States is confident about the positive conclusion of its base access talks with the Philippines, reiterating its support for the country’s defense buildup and preparedness for disaster response.

In a statement on Tuesday, US Embassy officials expressed hopes that negotiations, set to begin on Tuesday, in Manila, would reinforce the long-standing partnership between the two allies as both keenly pursued a common bid for a more stable Asia-Pacific region.

“We support the Philippine Government in its desire to build a credible defense and respond rapidly during times of humanitarian crisis and natural disasters,” said US Embassy officials in a statement sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.


“We are optimistic that the first round of negotiations will result in positive outcomes that will further strengthen our 62-year alliance,” officials said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Monday announced the formal start of negotiations between the Philippines and the US on the latter’s expanded access to Philippine military bases, a move that has invited criticism from those long opposed to US military presence here.

Del Rosario earlier said the talks would include discussions on “modalities and parameters” within which US troops would be allowed greater rotational presence in the Philippines under existing bilateral agreements and in compliance with Philippine law, particularly the Constitution.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterated this on Tuesday and said the bounds of the agreement had already been defined in deference to Philippine law.

“The parameters have already been set and both secretaries (Del Rosario and Gazmin) have already stated this yesterday (Monday). These are very clear parameters — respect for Philippine Constitution, the laws and jurisprudence, the preservation of Philippine sovereignty, the non-permanence of US troops and non-exclusivity of use of facilities by US side and the mutuality of benefits,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesman, said.
Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/83135/us-looking-forward-to-successful-base-access-talks-with-ph#ixzz2byMhcaeg