US Rejects Call For Review Of Security Pact With Philippines
The United States on Friday rejected calls for a review of a 1998 security pact with the Philippines amid public outrage over the case of a US Marine convicted of raping a Filipina in Subic
US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said it was "premature" to renegotiate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.
"We still believe that the agreement is very clear," he said in a television interview. "It's a mutually beneficial and working agreement."
The VFA gives legal protection to American military personnel accused of crimes while on official duty in the Philippines.
On Thursday, the Philippine government said it was "resolved" to review the VFA to avoid controversies similar to the current uproar over the case of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith.
Smith, 21, was convicted on December 4 of rape and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was initially detained at a local jail while he appealed his conviction.
But the US insisted that it should retain custody of Smith until his conviction becomes final, and cancelled large-scale military training exercises when courts ignored its claim of custody.
Fearing more sanctions, the Philippine government allowed Smith's transfer to the US Embassy on December 29, even without a court order, angering many Filipinos.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Manila and Washington "have learned good lessons" from Smith's case.
"The government is resolved to review the VFA, and, if warranted, to work with Congress to amend certain provisions thereof in order to prevent future controversies," he said Thursday.
Two days after Smith's transfer to the US Embassy, Washington announced the resumption of annual Balikatan training exercises between US and Philippine forces.
The US has issued more stringent rules for American troops participating in the Balikatan exercises, banning them from leaving areas of training even if they are not on duty.
US forces are also not allowed to go to night clubs and bars, and can only drink two bottles of beer when dining out.
Smith was among thousands of US troops that took part in Balikatan exercises near Olongapo City, 90 kilometres north of Manila, where he met his victim in a nightclub in November 2005.
US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said it was "premature" to renegotiate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the two countries.
"We still believe that the agreement is very clear," he said in a television interview. "It's a mutually beneficial and working agreement."
The VFA gives legal protection to American military personnel accused of crimes while on official duty in the Philippines.
On Thursday, the Philippine government said it was "resolved" to review the VFA to avoid controversies similar to the current uproar over the case of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith.
Smith, 21, was convicted on December 4 of rape and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was initially detained at a local jail while he appealed his conviction.
But the US insisted that it should retain custody of Smith until his conviction becomes final, and cancelled large-scale military training exercises when courts ignored its claim of custody.
Fearing more sanctions, the Philippine government allowed Smith's transfer to the US Embassy on December 29, even without a court order, angering many Filipinos.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Manila and Washington "have learned good lessons" from Smith's case.
"The government is resolved to review the VFA, and, if warranted, to work with Congress to amend certain provisions thereof in order to prevent future controversies," he said Thursday.
Two days after Smith's transfer to the US Embassy, Washington announced the resumption of annual Balikatan training exercises between US and Philippine forces.
The US has issued more stringent rules for American troops participating in the Balikatan exercises, banning them from leaving areas of training even if they are not on duty.
US forces are also not allowed to go to night clubs and bars, and can only drink two bottles of beer when dining out.
Smith was among thousands of US troops that took part in Balikatan exercises near Olongapo City, 90 kilometres north of Manila, where he met his victim in a nightclub in November 2005.
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
6:29 AM
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