From Rappler (May 2): 3 to 5 PH military bases eyed for US use
![PHILIPPINE PANEL CHAIRMAN: Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino. Rappler file photo]( "PHILIPPINE PANEL CHAIRMAN: Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino. Rappler file photo")
PHILIPPINE PANEL CHAIRMAN: Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino. Rappler
Three to 5 Philippine military bases are being eyed for the use of US troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), according to Philippine panel chairman Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino.
Fort Magsaysay is the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Fort Magsaysay is also near the disputed Panatag Shoal (Panatag) in the West Philippine Sea , currently occupied by the Chinese Coast Guard. The shoal is a territory of Zambales province, which is separated from Nueva Ecija by the province of Tarlac
Subic ?
http://www.rappler.com/nation/57038-philippines-military-bases-edca
PHILIPPINE PANEL CHAIRMAN: Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino. Rappler
Three to 5 Philippine military bases are being eyed for the use of US troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), according to Philippine panel chairman Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino.
"It is ranging from 3 to 5 AFP bases. That is not final, that is the starting discussion," Batino said.
Among the 5 locations being studied is Fort Magsaysay
"Fort Magsaysay
Why Fort Magsaysay
The Dingalan Bay , which merges with the Pacific Ocean east of the country, is also owned by the 7th ID. It's a 6-kilometer frontage that AFP owns. It can serve as a training ground from naval maneuvers.
The Philippines used to host a large US naval base in Subic , Zambales until the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to evict the Americans.
Batino refused to confirm if it is one of the 5 bases being considered.
"The Subic project, I must emphasize, is an AFP project. The AFP is requesting for limited portions of Subic so that it can strategically locate Philippine Air Force equipment and Philippine Navy equipment," Batino said.
Batino said Subic will serve as the home base of the two warships of the Philippines
The final locations will be identified in annexes that the panels are yet to complete. Batino said they have started consultations.
The locations will be chosen based on the key mission areas identified by the panels – maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Watch this earlier interview with Batino on #TalkThursday:
On top of the regular training exercises between the US
Batino said the US
No rental fees
The US
Batino said this issue has been resolved in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which was ratified by the Senate.
"VFA provides that landing charges and port charges shall not be imposed on visiting forces of the US
The Philippines sought US military assistance in the wake of escalating maritime disputes with China US
Philippine panel member Ambassador Ed Malaya also noted that the US does not pay Japan and South Korea rental fees for the US
US to operate own telecommunications system
EDCA also allows the US
He said the AFP will be allocating to the US
The Philippines may be able to use modern telecommunication equipment of the US
"All of these could be discussed on the ground. Their equipment, including possibly their telecommunication equipment, could be used for the furtherance of our defense and security services," he said.
Batino said the panel is ready to face legal questions raised against EDCA.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/57038-philippines-military-bases-edca