Phl, US resume talks on increased rotational presence of US forces

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Filipino and American officials today resumed the negotiations here on the framework agreement on the increased rotational presence of US forces in the Southeast Asian country.

The two-day negotiations marked the fourth round of discussions on the agreement. Officials earlier said they needed at least six rounds of negotiations before a pact can be signed.

"It resumed today and it will last until tomorrow," said Philippine Defense Department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez, without giving details on the discussions which occurred ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to the Philippines later this month.

The first round of negotiations were held in the Philippine military headquarters Camp Aguinaldo on Aug. 12 while the second and third round of talks were held both in Washington later in August and last month.

After the third round of negotiations, foreign affairs assistant secretary Carlos Sorreta said that they are halfway through in coming up with an agreement with the Americans.

Members of the Philippine panel are due to face the media on Thursday afternoon in Camp Aguinaldo to answer questions on the negotiations, the defense department said.

Officials earlier said that increased rotational presence of US forces in the country will also pave the way for the repositioning of assets that will boost the country's maritime security and maritime domain awareness.

They said the increased US presence in the country will be a welcome development as the military is still in the middle of a modernization program, which includes the acquisition of more modern equipment.