Palace: Talks between PH, US open to China’s interpretation

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – “Let China interpret it…We don’t need to send a message.”

That was Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda’s response to a question on what message the Malacañang is sending to China as the Philippines negotiates the United States’ increased military presence in the country.

Lacierda said “the medium is the message,” after confirming that talks between the Philippines and the US were still ongoing.

The US is working on the “pivot” or rebalancing of its forces in the Asia Pacific amid the increasing economic and military power of China. It coincides with the intensified territorial disputes of the Philippines and other countries with China, which has led to increased tension in the region.

But Lacierda, in a televised press briefing, said the “enhanced defense” agreement will mostly help the government in terms of technology transfer.

“There’s knowledge sharing between the American forces and the Philippine forces when they do conduct military exercises,” Lacierda explained.

He said there will also be a focus on disaster preparedness and reduction, especially after the “involvement of the American military when Typhoon Yolanda hit Central Visayas.”

Lacierda said the Philippines will only provide the US forces with access to military bases.

“We are very cognizant of the limitations imposed by the Constitution and other applicable laws. So the Philippine panel works around those parameters, and so there should be no issue as to permanent basing,” he said.

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