US military granted access to build facilities in Philippines, US to respect Philippine sovereignty
Although the US bases in the Philippines were closed more than 20 years ago, a US military presence never really left totally. Now, the two countries have come to an agreement to allow the US military to build facilities on the archipelago.
The pact would boost the American troop presence there at a time of rising tensions with China.
The negotiations come as a territorial dispute escalates between the Philippines and China over resource-rich shoals in the South China Sea. The Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, lacks the military power to deter China from contested waters rich in oil, gas and fish and has asked the United Nations to rule on disputes, a process China has rejected, Bloomberg News reports.
Of course this raises concerns among some in the Philippines.
The Philippines presidential palace, Malacañang, emphasized on Sunday that the Philippines’ granting of access to United States’ military shall respect the former’s sovereignty amid issues raised by different quarters on the possible near-conclusion of the enhanced defense cooperation between the two countries, the Philippines News Agency reports today.
“The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within certain AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) facilities with elements of the US military on a rotational basis within parameters consistent with the Philippine Constitution and laws.
US President Barack Obama will visit the Philippines next month.
It is time to civilize my motherland and to civilize our chinamen.