Palace on US troops deal: Let China interpret message

MANILA, Philippines - The proposed agreement on an enhanced military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is open to China's interpretation, Malacañang said Monday.

"Let China interpret that... We don't need to send a message. The medium is the message," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a televised press briefing on Monday.

Lacierda made his statement while negotiations between the Philippines and its long-time ally are now in the final stages.

The soon-to-be-completed defense agreement will increase the rotational presence of American troops here, who will also be given access to Philippine military bases.

Lacierda said the presence of US forces here would "certainly" help the Philippines in light of its continuing territorial disputes with China, which is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea.

"The reason why it helps is because there is some technology-transfer, there's knowledge-sharing between the American forces and Philippine forces when they do conduct military exercises. It improves the quality of the Philippines in terms of preparedness," Lacierda said.

Citing their involvement during the relief operations in wake of Typhoon Yolanda, Lacierda added that the US troops would also boost the country's disaster preparedness capabilities.

"Let me also emphasize that a part of this rotational presence is now focusing on disaster preparedness and disaster reduction," Lacierda said.

Tensions between the Philippines and China continue to rise after two maritime incidents in the disputed waters were reported in the first three months of this year.

The Philippines has lodged a formal protest against China after its coast guard reportedly used water cannons to drive away Filipino fishermen from the Panatag shoal last January.

Another protest was also filed after Chinese coast guard vessels also blocked the entry of two civilian vessels that were supposedly carrying food and supplies for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded ship in the Ayunging Shoal.

China has rejected both protests.