Despite a constitutional prohibition banning the
presence of foreign bases and foreign troops, the Aquino administration
will allow the United States to set up its bases in the country.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday said that the United
States may set up bases in the country, but qualified his statement by
saying that this will come about in case an “extreme emergency” erupts
in the Pacific as tension in the Korean Peninsula continued to increase.
The Constitution does not make any exemptions on this bases and foreign troops ban, however in case of “extreme emergency.”
Gazmin said: “Right now, our Constitution does not allow that (US bases in the country) but in cases of extreme emergency then there are extreme measures to be undertaken, maybe this is one of them,” admitted Gazmin during a chance interview by Camp Aguinaldo reporters.
Gazmin did not elaborate on why a Korean Peninsula crisis would necessitate the establishment of the US bases in the country, considering the fact that the Philippines is not a target of North Korea. At most, the target, apart from South Korea, would be Guam, if an American territory is targeted by North Korea.
The 1987 Constitution is barring permanent bases for foreign military in the country. The US pulled its bases from the Clark Air Base and the Subic Naval Bay in 1991 after the expiration of their stay.
The defense chief, however, stressed that there is no such move right now but cited the increased presence of US troops in the country through joint military exercises.
“In the absence of that (US bases), we go through a process, through exercises and increased rotational presence of American troops here in the areas involved in exercises and training,” said Gazmin.
Currently. more than 8,000 Filipino and US troops are holding the yearly Balikatan exercises in Luzon areas.
The defense chief also emphasized that situation in both South and North Korea remained normal as of yesterday.
Nonetheless, Gazmin said that the government has set up contingency measures should evacuation of Filipinos in South Korea arises.
Gazmin said that the Philippine Air Force has three operational C130 cargo planes on standby for deployment.
The Philippine Navy earlier announced that three ships, two logistical and an escort, were placed on alert for possible repatriation of more or less 40,000 Filipinos in South Korea.
The Constitution does not make any exemptions on this bases and foreign troops ban, however in case of “extreme emergency.”
Gazmin said: “Right now, our Constitution does not allow that (US bases in the country) but in cases of extreme emergency then there are extreme measures to be undertaken, maybe this is one of them,” admitted Gazmin during a chance interview by Camp Aguinaldo reporters.
Gazmin did not elaborate on why a Korean Peninsula crisis would necessitate the establishment of the US bases in the country, considering the fact that the Philippines is not a target of North Korea. At most, the target, apart from South Korea, would be Guam, if an American territory is targeted by North Korea.
The 1987 Constitution is barring permanent bases for foreign military in the country. The US pulled its bases from the Clark Air Base and the Subic Naval Bay in 1991 after the expiration of their stay.
The defense chief, however, stressed that there is no such move right now but cited the increased presence of US troops in the country through joint military exercises.
“In the absence of that (US bases), we go through a process, through exercises and increased rotational presence of American troops here in the areas involved in exercises and training,” said Gazmin.
Currently. more than 8,000 Filipino and US troops are holding the yearly Balikatan exercises in Luzon areas.
The defense chief also emphasized that situation in both South and North Korea remained normal as of yesterday.
Nonetheless, Gazmin said that the government has set up contingency measures should evacuation of Filipinos in South Korea arises.
Gazmin said that the Philippine Air Force has three operational C130 cargo planes on standby for deployment.
The Philippine Navy earlier announced that three ships, two logistical and an escort, were placed on alert for possible repatriation of more or less 40,000 Filipinos in South Korea.
