Posted on 05/23/2006 1:22:32 PM PDT by freepatriot32
The government will unveil today a new security arrangement with the United States that will allow US military involvement in addressing "non-traditional threats" including terrorism, piracy, disease outbreaks and natural disasters.
Philippine security officials emphasized that the new arrangement is not a treaty but an "institutional framework" that will cover issues not specifically cited in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries.
The Philippine government proposed the crafting of the framework about a year ago. Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, a lawyer, noted that the MDT commits both countries to come to each other’s aid only in cases of external threats.
Under the new framework, a "Special Engagement Board" will be created to deal with the "non-traditional threats" that also include transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and smuggling.
The board will work in coordination with the Mutual Defense Board between the two countries.
Philippine security officials emphasized that the new security framework will not entail a permanent US troop presence or basing arrangement in the country.
The officials said there could be more US troops sent to the Philippines at certain periods to address issues covered by the new framework, such as during disasters, but only if Manila asks for it.
The two governments have completed an exchange of notes on the new framework, security officials said.
They emphasized that the new arrangement is not a formal treaty, which would require ratification by the Philippine Senate.
In 1992, the Senate had voted to shut down US military bases in the Philippines. One consequence was a substantial cut in US military assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, one of the most poorly equipped in the region.
US troops returned to the Philippines for the first time in 2002, as the Arroyo administration committed to support the US-led global war on terror following the attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001.
The first "Balikatan" joint military exercises between the two countries were carried out in Basilan at the height of a hostage crisis precipitated by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.
That exercise drove the al-Qaeda linked terrorist group out of its jungle stronghold in Basilan.
US troops also conduct joint counterterrorism exercises with Philippine forces in Luzon.
US officials have emphasized that they deploy their troops only upon the request of Philippine officials.
The two countries have just finished the latest Balikatan in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, with the AFP conducting joint humanitarian and engineering missions with US troops under the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines.
US troops have set up temporary quarters at the compound of the AFP Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga City.
They will conduct more medical and humanitarian missions together with the AFP later this week in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi when the US Navy hospital ship Mercy goes to the south for a three-week mission on the first leg of an Asian swing.
The Americans help build roads, school buildings, artesian wells and other infrastructure needs in the three provinces where the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah are known to operate.
Yeah I remember... it wasn't long ago.
We had to basically BEG them to let us help them. They flipped out, and protested, and in the end they allowed us to train them but only one time in a remote area. We were not to set foot anywhere else or take any action.
They went in, got their little asses kicked, and are now convinced that they might need a bit more help than they had thought.
Of course we help them, but I'm sure they'll be grateful this time.... seriously.
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