The US is boosting its military assistance to the Philippines with 50 million dollars set to be provided in aid along with more navy vessels. That's as tensions in the region continues to rise over disputed resourse-rich territories in the South China Sea. Analysts say its an increasingly assertive China, that seems to be the real reason for Washington's growing engagements in the region
US forces are set for an "increased rotational presence" in the
Philippines, following negotiations in Manila. The two countries aim to
counter China's growing ambitions in the region.
The Pentagon
currently conducts a regular joint exercise and has a rotating force of
500 troops in the Southern Philippines, but may send more soldiers and
advanced equipment, or upgrade local facilities. Officials say that no
specifics have been laid out in the first round of a four-stage
negotiation.
"There should be a focus on high-impact, high-value
training exercises and activities that would focus on maritime security,
maritime domain awareness and our perennial problem with disasters,"
said Defense Undersecretary Pio Batino, who was present at the
discussion.
The Philippines was a US colony between 1898 and 1946, and
the presence of American troops remains a controversial issue. The US
abandoned its last base in the South Asian country in 1992.
But
tensions in the region have escalated as in the past decade Beijing
began to lay forceful claims to almost the entirety of the South China
Sea (which the Philippines calls West Philippine Sea), that rounds the
coastlines of most of the states in the region.
As disputes over
potentially lucrative sea lanes and underground mineral resources have
grown more bitter, Manila has made diplomatic appeals to the UN over
what it calls "excessive claims", and has sought greater assistance from
the United States.
After years of being bogged down in Afghanistan
and Iraq, Washington has also re-directed its foreign policy towards
Asia, signing a docking agreement for its warships with Singapore, and
bolstering its troop numbers in Australia.
Officials say that even
when finalized, the new agreement will not specify exact troop numbers,
and those will have to be negotiated on an annual basis.
Philippine
officials have also sought to reassure the domestic audience that the
increased presence will only be allowed with strict stipulations.
Foreign
Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta, who led the talks on his
country's side, told Reuters that the specific areas where the US troops
will be stationed were to be listed, as well as their the activities
and exercises. "But not the number of troops, not the operational
details," he added.
Sorreta emphasized that no US facilities could be
off-limits to Philippine officials (some have previously been denied
access), and insisted that the country will not host nuclear weapons,
and will not be used as a platform for "acts of aggression".
Not
everyone is placated. Some politicians have objected both to the
substance of the agreement, and the fact that it is likely to be signed
only by the executive branch, without any input from lawmakers.
"Any
policy that the government wants to implement as regards our security or
military should undergo close scrutiny," said Senator Gregorio Honasan.
"It poses a lot of danger now that military troops and their
equipment will soon arrive in the country. It might create an
impression of hostility and just add to the on-going tensions in our
troubled waters."
A heightened US military presence in the region to
offset Chinese influence will only increase tensions, argues author and
journalist Afshin Rattansi.
"The idea that the United States is
protecting the interests of the world against Chinese influence is
clearly absurd," Rattansi told RT. "All the United States is doing is
ratcheting up military tension and pressure at a time when the world
doesn't need it."
Several dozen anti-American supporters also staged a
protest outside the main army base where the talks took place.
The
next round of negotiations will take place in Washington before the end
of the month.
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