Obscure pact may bring US forces back to Philippines, says militant group

The obscure 2002 Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) between the Philippines and the United States may be the key to an increased US military presence in the country, according to the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Not as well known as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the MLSA is a five-year executive agreement entered into by the Arroyo administration and the US government. It was renewed on Nov. 21, 2007, after a government review of the pact that was never made public.

The MLSA, which grants the US military access to Philippine facilities and a wide array of services adjunct to American bases —such as transportation, refueling and billeting of troops—expires on Nov. 21, 2012.

In a statement Monday, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes warned Manila and Washington might expand the scope and duration of the MLSA.

“While the MLSA on paper does not allow the setting up of permanent US structures in the country, it allows the US military to be serviced by the Philippines during approved activities such as joint military exercises,” Reyes said.

“This access and service arrangement allows the United States to have all the benefits of formal bases,” he pointed out.

The two sides “may be considering making the MLSA in effect indefinitely and applicable at any time, even when there are no joint military exercises and other activities. They may amend the provisions that prevent the United States from setting up certain structures and facilities. Combined with the VFA, which is in effect indefinitely, the MLSA will ensure a permanent US military presence in the country,” Reyes said.

Asked for comment, the Department of Foreign Affairs would neither confirm nor deny Bayan’s claim the MLSA would be taken up at next month’s high level talks in Washington between Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as between Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and his American counterpart Leon Panetta.

“The schedule and agenda for the meeting (in late March) are still being firmed up,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told the Inquirer. Jerry E. Esplanada