Monday, May 5, 2014

Philippines & US sign security Pact

The U.S. and Philippines signed a defence pact to promote peace and security in the region. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will give American millitary temporary access to selected military camps and allow them to preposition fighter jets and ships. It will also allow the military of both the nation to respond faster to disasters and other contingencies.

Under the 10-year agreement the U.S. military will not pay rent for local camp areas; and the Philippines will own buildings and infrastructure to be built or improved by the Americans and reap economic gains from the U.S. presence. Further, the agreement says the U.S. will not establish a permanent military presence or base in the Philippines in compliance with Manila's constitution. And Filipino base commander will have access to areas to be shared with American forces.

But the agreement is not clear about the number of additional US troops would be deployed on temporary and rotational basis. It said the number would depend on the scale of joint military activities to be held in the camps.

The Philippines signed the pact with the intention to strengthen its pitiful military, while US has signed the deal as it is looking for a re-entry to Asia, where its superpower status has been put in doubt. Hence, the convergence could work to prevent China’s growing maritime presence in disputed South China Sea. But, the deal could further provoke Beijing as it is averse to Philippine government’s initiative to involve the US in its security agenda. This, in turn, may encourage china to intensify its massive military buildup.

American military have been deployed in the southern Philippines since 2002 to provide counterterrorism training and serve as advisers to Filipino soldiers, who have battled Muslim militants for decades. But this time the Philippines government sought US help to tackle external threats as its territorial spat with China in the potentially oil-and gas-rich South China Sea heated up in recent times.

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