“The transfer of another naval cutter from the US government serves the purpose of US military buildup on the South China Sea. Through such, the US is able to employ the Philippine Navy as an augmentation force in the course of its operations to permanently project its military presence and power in the area and secure the trade routes and Asian markets in the interest of US monopoly capitalist companies,” the CPP said in a statement.
Last week Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed talks about the acquisition of another Hamilton-class cutter.
However, Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Navy flag officer in command, said there is no formal offer yet from the US government on the acquisition of another 40-year-old cutter.
Last year the Navy acquired its first cutter from the US Coast Guard under the Excess Defense Articles Program of the US.
Renamed to BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15), the US ship that was refurbished and put into operational mission by the Navy last December was deployed for maritime security patrol on the South China Sea.
Also, the CPP believes that transfer of the second cutter to the Navy “further heightens” tension and is “provoking” China.
“Yesterday, officials of the US Congress announced that its Foreign Relations Committee is about to wrap up the decision to transfer the US naval cutter Dallas by the end of the week and plans to sail it to the Philippines soon thereafter. The naval cutter Dallas was commissioned by the US Coast Guard in 1967,” it said.
But defense and military officials averred that the acquisition of new war materiél is part of the long-stalled modernization program of the Armed Forces and has nothing to do with the dispute over the Spratly Islands.
The government earlier announced that it was also negotiating with the US government for the acquisition of several F-16 “Fighting Falcon” jet fighters.
Gazmin, together with a team from the Department of National Defense’s newly formed Acquisition Defense System (ADS), went to Italy to sign a five-year contract with that country’s Defense Ministry for the acquisition of fighter-bomber jets, a frigate, a destroyer and unmanned surveillance aircrafts, among others.
Gazmin said the government is working on an earmarked P70-billion budget to boost the military’s capability in territorial defense.
No permanent bases in PHL, exec says
A SENIOR US official said despite the growing need to increase security engagement with the Philippines, the US still does not plan to have permanent bases in the country but remains committed to helping the country address internal security threats.
Andrew Shapiro, State Department assistant secretary for political and military affairs, said the Philippines’s internal security threat has now shifted from terrorism to maritime concerns as the country continues to raise concerns on the Chinese intrusions in the disputed islands on the South China Sea.
During his visit to the Philippines, Shapiro met with senior officials from the Departments of National Defense and of Foreign Affairs to discuss measures on redirecting US military assistance to address internal security threats.
Shapiro said the traditional military assistance that the US gave to the Philippines for fighting terrorism in Mindanao, gave the country “great successes” as proven by the recent deaths of top bandit and terrorist leaders operating in the southern Philippines.
“Given the progress in addressing that threat [terrorism], we can transition our support toward maritime security,” said Shapiro in a press briefing on Friday with Manila-based journalists.
“Discussions [focused] on how to deepen partnerships and to work very closely for support to the Philippines’s internal security and with their maritime security needs as well,” said Shapiro.
Shapiro said the US Congress has recently approved transfer of US military equipment [Coast Guard Cutter] that will further help in the Philippines’s maritime security needs. The US also intends to increase humanitarian assistance in disaster areas.
He reiterated that Washington does not intend to set up permanent bases in the Philippines amid recent decisions to strengthen military cooperation.
He said the 600 US troops in Mindanao are still there but will not be stationed in the country permanently.
“We have no plans for bases here… we are talking about ways, in which at the invitation of the Philippine government... we can work together to help support security needs,” said Shapiro.
Asked if the US plan to strengthen maritime security of the Philippines is aimed to counter China’s increased military buildup on the South China Sea, he said, “Our goal in this dialogue is to help the Philippines with their defense needs as they identify them. It is best to work together in a number of different defense needs... and it is not designed to target any country… it is [aimed] to address the security requirement of the Philippines.”
Shapiro maintained that, “the US has not taken a position on the claims [on the South China Sea], we believe it will not be resolved through the use of force. We will continue to press that point to all the parties, that’s been the US policy under the Obama administration.”
(With E. Torres)
