'US troops may be allowed to set up temporary facilities'

MANILA, Philippines - The construction of facilities by American troops may be allowed under the increased rotational presence policy but this would only be temporary, officials said on Wednesday.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta said the structures to be built would be removed after the conduct of joint exercises or would become Philippine property. 

“The possibility of construction is there, only if we approve it and only on a temporary basis. At the end of the exercise, these will be either be removed or transferred to us under our existing process or granted by the US (United States) Congress,” Sorreta said in a press briefing. 

He said there are existing agreements on the transfer of equipment between the Philippines and the US. 

“Anything they construct will have to be monitored and approved by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Sorreta said.

“Anything to be built there has to have mutual benefit and I twill only be for a specific type and it will be removed or torn (down) at the end of the activity,” he added. 

Officials, however, declined to say what type of structures could be built, saying these would be determined by the military.

The third round for the negotiations on the increased rotational presence was held last week in Washington.

During the meeting, the Philippine and US agreed that their Defense departments would be the designated implementing authorities of the framework agreement they are working on.

“This reflects the very nature of the agreement that it is an executive agreement,” said Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, head of the Philippine panel.

Officials said they are now past the halfway mark in the negotiations but could not say when an agreement would be completed. 

”We’re past the halfway mark. We’ve had progress and were looking forward to more discussions again to pursue our interests in this endeavor,” Sorreta said.

When asked whether the agreement would be crafted in time for US President Barack Obama’s visit on Oct. 11 to 12.

“The agreement will be signed if the Philippines is sure it has gotten what it wants. It’s when we are sure that we met the parameters given to us. It depends on how the agreement progresses. It may come in soon it may come in later,” Sorreta said, adding that the Obama visit is not related to their discussions.  

The Philippines and the US have adopted a policy of increased rotational presence amid China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea. 

Security officials believe providing temporary access to US troops will help the country attain a minimum credible defense.

The Philippines will host the fourth round of negotiations in Manila on Oct. 1 to 2.