Pimentel: RP must explore security pacts with countries other than US

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. proposed yesterday that the Philippines should explore the possibility of entering into security agreements with countries other than the United States to protect itself from external security threats.

Pimentel made the proposal after the US canceled its annual military exercises with the Philippines next year in an apparent protest over their failure to regain custody of convicted rapist Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith pending the appeal of his conviction for raping a 23-year-old Filipina.

"It is unfortunate and a cause of dismay that the unresolved issue of whether Smith should be returned to US custody after his conviction was used by the US as a basis for the decision to scrap the Balikatan military exercises," Pimentel said.

If the joint military exercises were canceled by the US due to an absence of a security threat, that would have been understandable, Pimentel said.

"Balikatan exercises arise from security needs. Maybe the US no longer sees the need for them. If the Philippines thinks otherwise, we should talk with other allies and explore the possibility of entering into less iniquitous pacts," Pimentel said.

The drastic action of the US was made after the Court of Appeals refused to issue a temporary restraining order on the ruling of Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Benjamin Pozon that Smith should remain under detention at the Makati City Jail despite an agreement between the US Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs recognizing the right of Smith to be returned to US custody as stated in the 1999 RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Smith, 21, of St. Louis, Missouri, was convicted last Dec. 4 of raping Nicole inside a moving van at the Subic Bay free port on Nov. 1, 2005.

Pozon also sentenced Smith to 40 years in prison and ordered that the American be detained at the Makati jail pending the appeal of the conviction. The US soldier, however, has been detained at the Makati City jail’s records room separate from ordinary detainees since he was convicted.

Pimentel also expressed disappointment over the veiled threat of the US to cut off aid to the Philippines for failing to turn over Smith in alleged breach of the VFA. — Christina Mendez