Obama: US won’t reclaim, establish bases in PHL

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

Published April 28, 2014 4:21pm

(Updated 6:05 p.m.) A few hours after the US and the Philippines signed a new defense deal, US President Barack Obama clarified that they will not be reclaiming or establishing any military bases in the country.

"I want to be very clear: the United States is not trying to reclaim old bases or build new bases," Obama said during a joint press conference with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.

Obama explained that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed earlier in the day will only rotate US troops in Philippine facilities.

Obama said this is so that they can train and work together to build the defense capability of both countries.

"We’ll train and exercise more together so that we’re prepared for a range of challenges, including humanitarian crises and natural disasters like [Typhoon] Yolanda," he said.

EDCA

Finalized after eight rounds of talks that began in August 2013, the new accord grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels.

But the pact rules out permanent basing, as the Philippine Constitution bans foreign military bases in the country unless covered by a treaty.

A fact sheet provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the pact has an initial term of 10 years and was signed as an executive agreement within the scope of the Visiting Forces Agreement that had been ratified by the Philippine Senate in 1999.

The DFA added that there is no definite number on the visiting US troops, adding that their presence will depend on the scale and frequency of activities approved by the two governments.

Read: Highlights of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement

PNoy thankful

In his message Monday, Aquino thanked the US for its support in modernizing and enhancing the defense capabilities of the country.

"The [EDAC] takes our security cooperation to a higher level of engagement, reaffirms our countries’ commitment to mutual defense and security, and promotes regional peace and stability," he said, calling the US a "key ally, a strategic partner, and a reliable friend of the Philippines."

He added that Obama's visit reaffirm's the "deep partnership" between the two countries.

In particular, the President cited the outpouring of assistance from US during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda.

"Today, I reiterate formally: the Filipino people will never forget such kindness and compassion. On behalf of my countrymen, I thank the United States of America once more for being a true friend to our people," he said.

Obama, for his part, committed that the US will continue to stand with Filipinos while they continue to rebuild from the damage caused by Yolanda.

"Our commitment to the Philippines will not waver," he said. — RSJ, GMA News

Tags: edca, enhanceddefensecooperationagreement, barackobamaphlvisit, barackobama