From Rappler (Dec 5): PH to press 'equal access' to US facilities in bases deal
![EQUAL ACCESS: Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the Philippines will insist on equal access to US facilities. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler]( "EQUAL ACCESS: Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the Philippines will insist on equal access to US facilities. Photo by Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler")
ThePhilippines will press the United States
Negotiating panels of the two countries resumed talks earlier this week in theUS , drafting a military-to-military agreement that will allow American troops increased rotational presence and more access to military bases in the Philippines
During a difficult round in October, access and security issues were sticky points that the two sides couldn't resolve. (READ: PH, US resume bases access talks after impasse)
Gazmin said he is confident that theUS will agree to the condition of the Philippines
Gazmin is not expecting that the panels can finish the talks soon. "It's still a long way to go. We're still in the language. You know if you're talking to lawyers, it will take a long time. They will discuss commas and they have to agree on the adjectives," Gazmin said.
The negotiations also resume after theUS military's swift response to the Philippines
US Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg has been repeatedly highlighting the benefits of US
ThePhilippines sought the assistance of the US in the wake of China 's aggressiveness in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which coincides with the US "pivot to Asia ."
Beyond theUS , the Philippines
Japanese defense minister Itsunori Onodera will arrive in thePhilippines on Saturday, December 7, to meet with Gazmin at a time when China
China
Gazmin said the country supportsJapan in declaring that the air defense zone is inconsistent with international flight safety rules but downplayed fears that China will expand it to the West Philippines Sea
"It's speculative at this point. We cannot react if they're not doing anything," Gazmin said. "It will alarm us if they will do that," he added.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/45319-bases-access-equal-access-gazmin
EQUAL ACCESS: Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the Philippines
The
Negotiating panels of the two countries resumed talks earlier this week in the
During a difficult round in October, access and security issues were sticky points that the two sides couldn't resolve. (READ: PH, US resume bases access talks after impasse)
Gazmin said he is confident that the
Gazmin is not expecting that the panels can finish the talks soon. "It's still a long way to go. We're still in the language. You know if you're talking to lawyers, it will take a long time. They will discuss commas and they have to agree on the adjectives," Gazmin said.
The negotiations also resume after the
The
Beyond the
Japanese defense minister Itsunori Onodera will arrive in the
Gazmin said the country supports
"It's speculative at this point. We cannot react if they're not doing anything," Gazmin said. "It will alarm us if they will do that," he added.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/45319-bases-access-equal-access-gazmin