Palace assures no establishment of US bases in PH

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—American troops are welcome in the country, but the Philippines will not be their permanent stomping ground.

After a delegation of Philippine dignitaries held a series of talks with United States officials at Washington D.C., Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said that American soldiers would still conduct exercises together with Philippine forces, but they are not allowed to have a permanent base in the country.

In a radio interview, Coloma quoted the press release from the talks and said that the Philippines wanted that sovereignty to reside in Filipino hands, and the US troops are partners in the exercises.

Coloma said that “the proposed agreement” between the US and the Philippines would allow the sharing of facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the US military “within the parameters of the Philippine Constitution and laws.”

Also, according to the statement Coloma read, American forces have also put importance the Philippine environment and looked for potential Philippine suppliers for military goods.

“At the instance of the Philippine panel, the United States panel agreed to the inclusion of provisions on environment and safety, and opportunities for potential Philippine suppliers of goods, products and services,” Coloma quoted.

He added that, within the talks, Department of National Defense Undersecretary Pio Batino said that “in the preceding five rounds” of the talks, the Philippine panel moves within the principles of the Philippine Constitution.

“The Philippine negotiating panel is guided by the principles of full respect for Philippine sovereignty, non-permanence of US troops, and no US basing in the Philippines,” Coloma quoted the statement.

“Mutuality of benefits and respect for the Philippine Constitution, including the prohibition against nuclear weapons.”

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