Philippines, US ink new military pact

MANILA - The Philippines and the United States signed on Monday a 10-year defense pact that would expand the rotational presence of US forces in the country, a few hours before the expected arrival of US President Barack Obama here for a state visit.

The "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement" (EDCA) was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.

"The signing of EDCA between the Philippines and the United States affirms the robust and enduring strategic partnership between the two countries," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. in a statement.

The EDCA was signed after nearly two years of "intensive" negotiations between US and Philippine panels.

The pact was initially dubbed as "Increased Rotational Presence Framework Agreement," but the US and Philippine panels decided to change the title.

"The change in the title reflects the desire of the Philippines and the US for a more comprehensive agreement that covers the full range of enhanced defense cooperation. Increased rotational presence is just one modality of enhanced defense cooperation," said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Philippine officials said EDCA, which will have an initial term of 10 years, is envisioned to advance the implementation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

The military pact will be signed as an executive agreement and will not require ratification of Philippine Congress.

A primer on the EDCA released by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs indicates that the accord will not allow the US to establish a permanent military presence in the Philippines.

Washington will have to seek the permission of Manila to use facilities owned and controlled by Philippine military. The US has also agreed not to bring in nuclear weapons in Philippine military facilities.

The pact, however, did not provide information as to the definite number of troops that will be allowed entry into military facilities in the country.

The EDCA was signed a few hours before the expected arrival of US President Barack Obama in the country for a state visit. Obama will stay in the Philippines until Tuesday.

For decades, the U.S. maintained large military bases in the northern Philippine areas of Clark and Subic Bay until Philippine congress voted to close them down in 1991.

American forces returned to the country eight years later under the Visiting Forces Agreement, which was ratified by the Senate in 1999 to govern the temporary stay of US forces for joint training with the Philippine military.