“The Philippine SOFA and the State of the Philippine-US security relations”

1. “The Philippine SOFA and the State of the Philippine-US security relations” Concepcion C. AsisSecretariat, Gathering for Peace, Philippines INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON USA MILITARY BASES PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS AND MAKING A PEACEFUL URBAN LIFE Art Center in Ujijeonbu, Republic of Korea September 13, 2002

2. Philippines : of strategic military importance to the US

3. US Strategic Posture in the Asia Pacific Philippines • strategic location for military forces • gateway to the Pacific • hub for protection of the sea lanes of trade • staging ground to China, Russia and East Asia

4. Reclaiming our Sovereignty – the rejection of the RP-US Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security

5. Brief History of US-Philippine Relations • 1900- US colony • 1947 - Military Bases Agreement • 1947 – Military Assistance Agreement, later known as Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement in 1953 • 1951 – Mutual Defense Treaty

6. Return of the Troops –the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)

7. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) • 1992 - holding of joint military exercises between the Philippines, US and at times Singapore • 1994 - Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) proposed • 1997 - Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) • 1999 –Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)

8. VFA features • Visits of aircrafts, ships and vessels • Access to 22 ports • Geographic reach expanded to include Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao • US personnel exempted and with extended privileges • US have total jurisdiction over crimes committed by US personnel

9. VFA features Philippines waive • right to exercise jurisdiction (over all offenses committed by US troops) • Claims on damages to the environment and destructions caused by the activities of the VFA

10. Balikatan Exercises: direct intervention on our sovereignty

11. Balikatan 02-1 • military exercises held from January –July 2002 • 660 military advisers, special forces and soldiers • 160 were sent to Basilan, Mindanao were the Abu Sayaf bandits were based • 250 in Zamboanga City • 250 Mactan Airbase in Cebu

12. Balikatan 02-1 • choice of Basilan and Zamboanga reflective of US policy of pre-emptive strikes against terrorists • Operation “gentle wind” mobilized US development agencies to undertake community services to win the hearts and minds of the people affected

13. Balikatan 02-1 • lack of secrecy and transparency in preparations • blatant violations to the Philippine constitution • wanton use of vigilantism against so-called terrorists • crack down against activists • increased tensions in the peace process

14. Towards the Re-establishment of the US Bases in the Philippines

15. Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) • “Trojan horse” • empty promises of military aid • surrounded in secrecy • no draft agreement present/released to date

16. MLSA features • grants permanent basing services • setting up of infrastructure • offers not just 22 ports but the entire country as facility for land, sea and air spaces • application of MDT expanded

17. MLSA features • compromise diplomatic relations • mechanisms for purchase and exchange of military materials • considered Executive Agreement but will have effect and force of Treaty • period covered will be ten years

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