Phl studying US offer on spy planes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is considering a United States proposal to deploy surveillance aircraft on a temporary, rotating basis to enhance its ability to guard disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Friday.

Two days of talks in Washington this week on security ties between the two allies include plans to deploy more littoral combat ships and spy aircraft, Gazmin said.

The effort to expand military ties between the US and the Philippines, which voted to remove huge American naval and air bases 20 years ago, occurs as both countries grapple with the growing assertiveness of China.

An expanded US military presence in the region should help the Philippines better deter border intrusions, Gazmin said.

“I would rather look at it from the positive point of view that there would be stability in the region, that we would have enough deterrent,” he told reporters.

“Without a deterrent force, we can be easily pushed around, our territories will be violated. Now that we have a good neighbor on the block, we can no longer be bullied,” he said, referring to the US.

Gazmin said there would be more exercises with US forces and a rotating presence through port visits for exercises, repairs and resupply.

In Washington, Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the US Pacific Command, said the US will help the Philippines in its bid to become self sufficient in maritime security.

In an Asia-Pacific military overview briefing for foreign journalists, he said both sides were discussing the issue but declined to specify “individual units or tight model series of ships or aircraft in that discussion.”

Willard said the US Defense Department was working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines “to seek a broader balance in capabilities within the Philippines, recognizing that issues such as maritime security and stability all across a very complex archipelago is as important as the army-centric nature of counterinsurgency and counter-terror work that has been ongoing.”

The Philippines took delivery of a Coast Guard cutter last year and a second one is scheduled for delivery this year.

A Philippine-US strategic dialogue here reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to “an invigorated and expanded alliance capable of addressing 21st century challenges.”

A joint statement at the end of the two-day second Bilateral Strategic Dialogue said the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty was relevant to the peace, security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific. The first strategic dialogue was held in Manila last year.

The spate of high-level Philippine-US meetings comes at a time of increasing tension between China and other countries in the region, including the Philippines, over disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas.

“We are interested in the Philippines and in a maritime sense becoming increasingly self-sufficient, and we’ll help where we can. But I would avoid going to individual units or tight model series of ships or aircraft in that discussion,” Willard said in his briefing.

He ruled out using Subic Bay in the Philippines as a naval base again.

He said initiatives offered by Australia and Singapore “to allow us to rotate forces from locations that are closer and more adjacent to Southeast Asia” afforded the Pacific Command the opportunity to more conveniently have its presence in the region felt at less cost.

“So we would welcome discussions with the Philippines along those lines, but there’s no aspiration for bases in Southeast Asia,” he said.

He added that 30,000 US troops were in South Korea for defense against the north, “but also with an understanding that those troops are there with the region in mind.”

‘Nothing wrong’

Malacañang, meanwhile, said yesterday increased defense cooperation with the US would not affect the country’s relations with China.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB there was nothing wrong in improving the country’s defense capabilities with the help not only of the US but other countries as well.

“We have many other neighbors and we also have negotiations with them when it comes to upgrading our defense capabilities,” Valte said.

“We believe that it is perfectly understandable for a country to upgrade its defense capabilities especially in the case of the Philippines where... no one will argue that our capabilities have been lacking in the past few years,” she said.

Valte reiterated there was no deal yet between the Philippines and the US and that the increased defense cooperation was still in the early stages of discussion.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also said yesterday that maximizing the treaty alliance with the US is to the advantage of the Philippines.

“Yes, it is to our definite advantage to be exploring how to maximize our treaty alliance with the United States in ways that would be mutually acceptable and beneficial,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

He said, “Any actions taken will be consistent with our treaty obligations and in accordance with Philippine laws and the Constitution.”

Routine port calls

Two US Navy ships were scheduled to visit the Philippines for routine port calls over the weekend.

The US embassy in Manila said guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) was scheduled to arrive in Manila Bay, and the USS Chafee (DDG-90) in Cebu.

USS Wayne E. Meyer and USS Chafee will engage with their counterparts in the Armed Forces and perform community relations projects.

The embassy said these goodwill visits highlight the strong historic, community and military connections between the US and the Philippines. - Aurea Calica, Jose Katigbak (STAR Washington Bureau), Pia Lee-Brago