US allowed access to Philippines bases: Officials
Iran Press TV
Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:7PM GMT
Filipino officials say the country will allow the United States to gain access to its military bases, as tensions between the US and China increase over the South China Sea.
Under a new security deal being negotiated during the sixth round of talks in Washington last week, the United States will be allowed to increase deployment of troops, ships, aircraft and equipment across military bases in the Philippines, Filipino officials said on Friday.
"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," Filipino Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino said, adding, "consensus was arrived at on many provisions of the draft agreement,' with 80 percent of the deal already done.
US forces will have joint use of facilities in several military bases including Manila, Clark, Palawan, Cebu, Nueva Ecija, and La Union, said an unidentified military official.
The measure follows mounting tensions over the South China Sea between regional players including China, Japan, the Philippines, as well as the United States.
China and the Philippines have had recurring standoffs over the disputed territories of the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other neighbors.
Analysts have warned that the Philippines risks losing part of its sovereignty by agreeing to expand the US military presence in the country. This is while, Washington is sending a signal to the region that it supports the Philippines' claims on the South China Sea disputes.
Manila once hosted thousands of American troops until they were evicted in 1992.
The United States plans to reconfigure its military forces in the Asia-Pacific region, with similar arrangements between Australia and Singapore.
GMA/AB
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