MANILA’S top diplomat in Washington yesterday said there is no need to reestablish military bases in the country if Manila opens its facilities to the United States in case the Ukraine-Russia conflict spills over to Asia.
Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said the use of Philippine facilities will only be on a temporary basis.
“Yung bases, wala na iyan. Talagang hindi na. In other words, kung kailangan ng pasilidad, it will be temporary (The bases are gone. In other words, there will be no bases and if they need our facilities, it will be temporary),” Romualdez told radio DZBB. “Most likely, if they need supplies or repair of their ships there in Subic.”
Last week, Romualdez said President Duterte told him he is ready to offer the country’s facilities for use by the United States in case of a spillover.
Romualdez yesterday said Washington has yet to coordinate with the Philippine Embassy about the matter.
“We just conveyed in an informal manner what the President told us that if there is an emergency and they need such facilities, we are there because of the Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said in Filipino.
Last week, Romualdez said part of Duterte’s reasoning for opening the Philippines facilities to the US is that Manila should honor its commitment under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The MDT, signed in 1951, commits the two countries to come to each other’s aid in case of foreign aggression or armed attack on its troops, ships and aircraft.
The envoy said among the facilities that the country may offer for use by the US is Subic Bay and Clark in Pampanga.
The Senate in 1991 rejected a proposed extension of the US military bases in the country.
Though the 1991 Senate vote ended the permanent presence of US troops in the country, the security relationship between Manila and Washington remained anchored by the MDT.
The two countries also entered into the Visiting Forces Agreement in 1999 that governed the conduct of US forces while in the country during military training exercises and maneuvers with their Filipino counterparts.
Washington also continued to provide training, equipment and surveillance to assist Filipino troops battling extremist groups particularly in Mindanao, as well as in upgrading its external defense capability.
‘GET READY’
Filipinos working in the Czech Republic have been advised to prepare for a spillover.
Speaking at a virtual press briefing, Labor Attaché to Prague Llewelyn Perez said they have started communicating with the Filipino community in the Czech Republic regarding the potential adverse effects of the ongoing war.
“We are slowly raising awareness among our countrymen on what is happening in Ukraine, and the possible effects to the workers in Czech Republic,” said Perez.
She also said their communication with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) include discussion on the plans in case of a spillover.
With OFWs in Ukraine among those who have been evacuated, Perez reminded them they are not allowed to look for work in Czech Republic.
“That would be dangerous and risky if they insist on looking for jobs. They don’t have the necessary documents. We don’t want them to get into trouble,” said Perez.
It would be best if the OFWs from Ukraine will just return to the Philippines, Perez said.
“We continue to encourage them to get repatriated. We advised them that the Department of Labor and Employment has several programs to help them,” said Perez. — With Gerard Naval
