National Security Adviser Roilo Golez told The STAR yesterday Mrs. Arroyo’s stand was within the Constitution and the law as the Philippines is bound by international treaty obligations.
"The Philippines is prepared to participate in support of this international coalition within the limits of our capabilities, our laws and our Constitution," he said. "We will explore all our options allowed by our treaties and the Constitution."
Golez said the Cabinet Oversight Committee chaired by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo will meet at Malacañang today to discuss a resolution of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization calling for the use of military force against terrorists.
"That means they’re prepared to use military force," he said. "So when they use military force, depending where, then there may be implications to us. That is depending on what kind of military force will be used."
Guingona, who is also secretary of foreign affairs, said the US can be allowed use of Clark Field and Subic Bay free port "for humanitarian reasons" to refuel aircraft sent to evacuate Americans from conflcit areas.
"That is in line with the President’s pronouncement of support," he said.
Guingona said it is "still premature to even speculate" at this stage if the Philippines can afford to send troops in case the US invokes the 1951 RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
"We don’t know what is the overall plan," he said. "We don’t know about this declaration of war. We don’t know who’s the enemy. So we are just against terrorists and terrorism."
Guingona said the US has not invoked the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement that would allow the Americans use of airports for the transport of evacuees and non-combat materials.
Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said Mrs. Arroyo granted a US request to use Clark and Subic for transporting evacuees and non-combat materials from the Asia-Pacific region.
The request was transmitted through Golez a few hours after Tuesday’s terrorist bombings in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, DC, he added.
However, Tiglao said the request was just part of a contingency plan of the US Embassy in Manila to be implemented in case of an emergency.
Tiglao said Mrs. Arroyo also expressed the sentiments of the Filipino people against the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon.
"The Philippines joins all freedom-loving nations in expressing outrage and condemnation at what has been one of the worst assaults against humanity," Tiglao quoted Mrs. Arroyo as saying. "We will extend all the support we can in the international coalition’s war against terrorism."