US only riding on PH-China dispute – Bayan

MANILA, Philippines – The left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Saturday, August 10, said the United States is exploiting the country’s rising tension with China to advance its own “political, military, and economic agenda.”

“The Philippine government is allowing itself to be used by the US. It is unlikely that the US will engage China head-on, on behalf of the Philippines,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said in a statement.

Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the government would soon start talks on expanding US access to its bases.

READ: PH wants to give US, Japan access to bases

The group also asked the government for a full disclosure of the negotiations between the two countries, fearing that the agreement may circumvent the Constitution and allow the US to establish de facto bases in the Philippines.

“The proposal could be worse than the former military bases treaty because access arrangements will allow US troops to be present all over the country as every Philippine military facility, not just Subic and Clark, can be used by US troops,” Reyes said. 

After the 1991 agreement on military bases between the two countries expired, the Constitution now bans foreign military bases, troops, or facilities in the country unless a treaty has been duly concurred in by the Senate and recognized by the other State.

But Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on June 27 emphasized the plan would not see any new bases or a permanent US presence in the Philippines.

Despite the ban, Clark and Subic — now partly converted to business use — still host and service US military aircraft and warships on short-term exercises.

‘Another bully’

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Rep Neri Colmenares also said on Saturday the move will only increase tension in the country.

“The Philippines must assert its territorial integrity against China’s bullying but we cannot allow another bully in the United States to take its place,” he said, adding the US only wants to dominate and not help the Philippines.

He said the government should pursue peaceful resolution with the help of the international community, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or the International Court of Justice, instead of allowing US troops in the area.

“We have a strong case against China and we should challenge them in all these forums instead of resorting to the militarist solution of US warmongers,” Colmenares said.

He also called the Armed Forces of the Philippines “not just a corrupt and repressive agency but…an embarrassment as well” for posturing itself weak against China by asking for more budget and US presence.

Gazmin earlier said the agreement on access will bring in more equipment from the US. 

China claims most of the South China Sea, including waters close to the shores of its neighbors, the Philippines included.

Last year, China seized control of Scarborough Shoal, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) off the coast of Luzon, after the Philippine Navy backed down from a lengthy standoff. – Rappler.com