Phl to ban US warships with nuclear weapons in new defense deal

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang assured on Monday that the proposed agreement on the increased rotational presence (IRP) of American forces here will not violate the 1987 Constitution which prohibits nuclear weapons in the Philippine territory.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the explicit guidelines of President Benigno Aquino III was to ensure that the agreement and the negotiations between the Philippines and the United States are conducted with "strictest compliance with our existing laws."

"We've been very explicit and the panel is very cognizant to this, that whatever negotiations take place, any agreement reached will have to be under the ambit the 1987 Constitution as well as the existing framework of the [Mutual Defense Treaty] as well as the [Visiting Forces Agreement]," Valte said at a televised press briefing.

Section 8 of the Constitution, states that the Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.

Valte said it is "quite obvious" that the Philippines will ban US warships carrying nuclear weapons.

She refused to comment, however, on whether the Philippines is capable of detecting ships with nuclear weapons. She said the situation of such ships sneaking into the country is "based on speculation."

The Palace official's statements came after the Philippines and the United States concluded the eighth round of negotiations for a framework agreement on the IRP.

Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, chairman of the Philippine negotiating panel, said the two sides found consensus on key points of a draft agreement.

"This round brought us much closer to finding full consensus, and the draft provisions on key points of an enhanced defense cooperation will be submitted to (Pres. Aquino) for his review," Batino said in a statement.

According to the draft agreement, US access to and use of military facilities and areas here will be "at the invitation of the Philippines and with full respect for Philippine Constitution and Philippine laws."

The IRP is being completed amid the Philippines' continuing territorial disputes with China, which is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea.