Activists fear US bases could return

Manila: An obscure provision in an agreement between the Philippine and the US governments five years ago could herald a greater American military presence in the country.

The anti-American group, New Nationalist Alliance (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan), warned that there is a strong possibility that the US could permanently base its forces in the country.

US forces withdrew their military bases in the Philippines after the Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to terminate a basing agreement.

Twenty-one years after the withdrawal, there are strong indications of their return to the country under the mantle of a new agreement.

Bayan secretary-general Renato M. Reyes Jr said that even if the US did not return to its permanent base facilities, US forces could use the country's accommodation facilities under the Philippines-US Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) and another pact, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Billeting

"The MLSA allows the US military to access Philippine facilities for a wide array of services such as refuelling, re-supply, billeting of troops, transportation and so on. It practically allows the US to avail of the services that are typical of US bases.

"That the MLSA is set to expire this year while there are ongoing talks for increased US access to Philippine facilities is no coincidence," he said.

The MLSA is effective only for five years. A review of the pact is currently under way.

"While the MLSA, on paper, does not allow the setting up of permanent US structures, the agreement allows the US military to be serviced by the Philippines during approved activities such as joint military exercises. These access and service arrangements allow the US to have all the benefits of formal bases," Reyes said.

He said the US and Philippine governments could be contemplating expansion of the scope and duration of the agreement.

The VFA had been long opposed by left-wing and nationalist groups in the country because it contains certain provisions such as custody issues involving American servicemen who run into trouble with the local law, among others.

Unlike the MLSA, the VFA is in effect indefinite.

Amendment

"They may be contemplating making the MLSA indefinite and applicable at any time, even when there are no joint military exercises or joint activities. They may amend provisions that prevent the US from setting up certain structures and facilities. The MLSA, combined with the VFA, will ensure permanent US military presence in the country," Reyes said.

"We have always believed that the MLSA, like the VFA, is an affront to our sovereignty and transforms Philippine facilities into virtual US bases," he said.