increased us military presence in the philippines: implications for peace and development in...

INCREASED U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE IN

THE PHILIPPINES :Implications for Peace and Development in

Mindanao

Lecture delivered at the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) Notre Dame University

Cotabato City6 July 2012

Rommel C. BanlaoiPhilippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research

Consulting – Training - ResearchingCountering Political Violence and Terrorism Through Peace

Researchwww.pipvtr.com

U.S.-PHILIPPINES ALLIANCE: ADDRESSING 21ST CENTURY SECURITY CHALLENGES

byRommel C. Banlaoi

Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research


Research www.pipvtr.com

• An estimated 400 Philippine Navy sailors and 400 U.S. servicemen are currently taking part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2012 exercises.– July 2-10, 2012– Involving:

• Four Philippine Navy ships – BRP Magat Salamat, BRP Miguel Malvar, BRP Salvador Abecede and BRP Teotimo Figuracion

• Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels - BRP Pampanga and the PCG Helo 1636

• US Navy’s USS Vandegrift and USNS Safeguard




• The Philippines has always been supportive of United States’ military presence in Asia.

• Thus, it is no longer surprising

to see the Philippines warmly welcoming the CARAT exercises, particularly in the context of U.S. pivot strategy to Asia.

Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism ResearchConsulting – Training - Researching

Countering Political Violence and Terrorism Through Peace Research

www.pipvtr.com

• RP-US alliance is the cornerstone of Philippine foreign, defense and security policy– Rendered dormant in

1991– Reinvigorated in 2001– Enhanced in 2010



www.pipvtr.com

30 April 2012

The 2-plus-2 meeting is the first of its kind in the history of special relations between the U.S. and the Philippines.



www.pipvtr.com

• The meeting aims to intensify the habit of consultation and cooperation on defense, security, political, economic and foreign policies between the two allies.

• Moreover, the meeting intends to solidify their existing alliance to respond effectively to current and emerging security challenges in the Asia Pacific.



www.pipvtr.com

• In the 2-plus-2 meeting, both reaffirmed the importance of their security alliance and decided to level up this alliance to meet the many security challenges facing both countries.



www.pipvtr.com

• The Philippines, particularly, highlighted in this meeting the need for the U.S. to continuously assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in building its capacity for territorial defense, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and nation building.– It meant asking from the U.S. more access to Excess Defense

Articles (EDA), greater priority to International Military Education and Training (IMET), and more grants from Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

– The Philippines cannot be a useful ally in U.S. pivot to Asia strategy without adequate military capacity.



www.pipvtr.com

• The Philippines’ support to U.S. Pivot to Asia strategy was first officially articulated on 16 November 2011 during the 60th Anniversary of the U.S-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

• Signed the Manila Declaration on U.S. Philippines Alliance


Countering Political Violence and Terrorism Through Peace Researchwww.pipvtr.com

• In the Manila Declaration of 2011, the U.S. and the Philippines:– reaffirmed their shared

obligations for mutual defense and

– stressed the need “to maintain a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership including cooperating to enhance the defense, interdiction, and apprehension capabilities” of the Philippine military



www.pipvtr.com

• Their determination to continue “their bilateral cooperation in addressing broader regional and global challenges, including:– Maritime security – Threats to security such as climate change,

nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and transnational crime.”

• Commitment to continue their “close and effective cooperation to counter al-Qaida-linked terrorist groups in the Southern Philippines”



www.pipvtr.com

• Share common interest in: – Maintaining freedom of navigation– Unimpeded lawful commerce, and transit of

people across the seas and – Subscribe to a rules-based approach in

resolving competing claims in maritime areas through peaceful, collaborative, multilateral, and diplomatic processes within the framework of international law;”




• Commi to advance their “nations’ mutual security interests through:– Continuing a high-level strategic dialogue.” – They also committed to support “increasing

regional cooperation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM+), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).”



www.pipvtr.com

• In other words, the Manila Declaration of 2011 not only renewed U.S.-Philippines security alliance but also stressed the need to raise the level of their alliance to a higher plane.

• The Manila Declaration identified broader goals

in order to make this alliance more relevant and more mutually beneficial.



www.pipvtr.com

• To implement the Manila Declaration, the two allies even

instituted the holding of Bilateral Strategic Dialogues in order to provide opportunities for both countries “to consult and exchange views on a broad range of bilateral, regional, and global issues” reflecting their “common values and interests”



www.pipvtr.com

• The U.S. and the Philippines, therefore, commit to stick together as important allies in 21st century.

• The recently concluded 2-plus-2 meeting reiterated that point.



www.pipvtr.com

• There is no doubt that this alliance plays an important role in U.S. pivot to Asia.

• Through the MDT of 1951, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) of 1999 and the Mutual Logistic Support Agreement (MLSA) of 2007, American military presence in the Philippines is justified.



www.pipvtr.com

• To indicate continuing American military presence in the Philippines, at least 600 American troops belonging to the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTFP) are ‐currently deployed in Mindanao on rotational basis.

• Since 2000, American and Filipino troops have been conducting combined and joint military exercises in Philippine territories.



www.pipvtr.com



• 28th Balikatan concluded on 27 April 2012• A milestone as it involved other American

allies from Australia Japan, and South Korea as well as partners from Indonesia and Malaysia.

• The U.S. is indeed pivoting to Asia. The Philippines plays a significant part in it.

• For the Philippines, it is not difficult to embrace American pivot strategy having been a long-standing security ally.

• Armed forces of both countries fought together during– the Second World War (1945), – the Korean War (1950-1953), – the Vietnam War (1964-973), – the Persian Gulf War (1991), and – the Global War on Terror (2001-2011)

• They fought common wars through the years to defend democracy, promote rule of law and pursue free trade.



www.pipvtr.com

• Their shared history and common values in liberal democracy, rule of law, open society and free market make the Philippines an integral part of US pivot strategy towards Asia.

• The bilateral security relationship between the

U.S. and the Philippines has, in fact, “gained prominence as a key link in the evolving U.S. foreign policy ‘pivot’ or ‘rebalancing’ toward Asia.”



www.pipvtr.com

U.S. Alliance with the Philippines – weaved together with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand – makes the U.S. presence really felt in Asia and the Pacific.



• As an American ally, the Philippines finds U.S. pivot to Asia strategy as essential to ameliorate its growing security dilemma with China.



www.pipvtr.com

• U.S. pivot to Asia strategy is also important for the Philippines in addressing the country’s internal security threats.



www.pipvtr.com

In other words, the

Philippines expects the U.S. to help the country build its national capacity to meet the objectives of Philippine National Security Policy covering the presidential term 2011-2016.



www.pipvtr.com

The U.S. is now

rebalancing its global posture and presence after fulfilling its commitment in Iraq and Afghanistan.



www.pipvtr.com

• In its objective to strengthen its presence in the Asia

Pacific by increasing “the institutional weight”, “power projection”, and “deterrence capacity” of U.S. armed forces in the region, the Philippines is willing to serve as a key strategic hub, if not spoke, for this purpose.

• The 2-plus-2 meeting of both countries’ defense and

foreign affairs officials in Washington DC this week further operationalized how the Philippine can fit into the U.S. pivot strategy toward Asia.



www.pipvtr.com

• U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

stressed in an article in Foreign Policy that “the future of politics will be decided in Asia, not Afghanistan or Iraq, and the United States will be right at the centre of the action”.

• The invigorated U.S.-Philippine alliance

can presently facilitate the U.S to pivot effectively to Asia as it prepares to meet this future.

• Operationally, it means increasing U.S. presence in the Philippines as the U.S. increases its presence in Asia.




• Increased American presence in the Philippines can be established through the following:– Greater U.S. access to Philippine ports and airfields for re-fueling and

service of warships and planes;– Stationing of U.S. warships and reconnaissance and other aircraft, on a

rotational basis;– Increasing the number and frequency of joint military exercises,

training, ship and aircraft visits, and related activities;– Increasing the number of U.S. troops serving on a temporary basis;

and,– The Philippine purchase and leasing of U.S. military ships and aircraft



www.pipvtr.com

Source: Thomas Lum, The Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests (Washington DC: Congressional Research Service, 5 April 2012), p. 28.

ZAMBALES(1996)

CABRA(1998)

LALUTAYA(2002)

AYUNGIN(2000)

MELVILLE(1995)

TINACA(2005)

ZAMBOANGA(1995)

CAPUL(1995)

COAST WATCH SYSTEM (1995 - 2005)

ORIGINAL COAST WATCH STATIONS

Sourc

e: PN

MAPUN

TAGANAK

BONGAO

TONGKIL

PILAS

PANGUTARAN

PANDAMI

BALUT

SAN AGUSTIN

MAASIM

MAITUMKALAMANSIG

MRIC

CWC-WM

CWC-WEST

CWC-EM

MELVILLE

ZAMBALES

CABRA

LALUTAYA

AYUNGIN

TINACA

ZAMBOANGA

CAPUL

BASCO, BATANES

SAN VICENTE, CAGAYAN

CASIGURAN, AURORABOLINAO, PANGASINAN

MANGSEE

SURIGAOTUBBATAHA REEF

CWC-NORTH, LA UNION

RIZAL REEF

LAWAK BUSUANGA

SIATON, NEGROS ORIENTAL

LEGEND:

OPERATIONAL

UPCOMING

CUYO

BURGOS, ILOCOS NORTE

U.S. Presence in the Philippines Can facilitate the implementation of

INTEGRATED PN COAST WATCH SYSTEM

Sourc

e: PN

IMPLICATIONS FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN

MINDANAO




• Centrally located within Asia & the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA). • Easily accessible by air, land, and sea transport using Roll-On Roll-Off facilities. • 38 seaports (4 strategic container ports) and 15 major airports (2 international).

interlinked and able to support high volumes.• 19th largest island in the world (land area exceeds Ireland or Sri Lanka). • A deep pool of skilled human resources from a population of over 22 million. • Abundant, available, fertile land perfectly suited for agriculture; 44% of food

consumed in the Philippines is produced here. • Fair tropical climate with no typhoons. • Within the rich fishing lanes of the South China and Celebes Seas; accounts for

35% of the country’s fish catch. • Adequate public utilities and telecom facilities.• Strong government support through infrastructure development and favorable

policies. • Emerging location for Tourism and Business Process Outsourcing



www.pipvtr.com

Why Mindanao?

Region 13 Banana, Palm Oil, Coffee, Fish/Fish products, Citronella Oil, Wood & Wood Products

Region 9 Processed fish products, Rubber, Seaweeds, Bottled Sardines, Ceramics, Shellcrafts

SOURCE: Department of Trade and Industry

Strategic Industries

Region 10 Pineapple, High-value crops&vegetables, Aqua-marine, Tourism, Fiber-base (silk, abaca)

Region 11

Banana, Coconut, Processed fruits, Processed food products, Wood Industry, Housewares

Region 12

Rubber, Palm Oil, Pineapple, Processed Fruits, Fish/Fish Products

ARMM Seaweeds, Fish/fish

products

Manganese

Magnetite

Magnetite

Magnetite

Chromite

Chromite

Chromite

Chromite

Gold

Gold

Source: Fernando Sajona, Geologic Setting and Mineral Potential of the Philippines, 2006.

• The Philippines, particularly Mindanao, is one of the most mineralized countries in the world.• Third in gold• Fourth in copper• Fifth in Nickel• Sixth in Chromite

Untapped mineral wealth is around US$840 billion

• Surigao gold district holds promise for porphyry copper mineralization

COPPER-GOLD

Areas of high Mineral Development interest in Mindanao

• Time for rational exploration in Diwalwal-Masara area

• Zamboanga is an emerging district

• Discovery of Tampakan grabs attention for Cotabato

• Central Cordillera of Mindanao remains unexplored; gold panning activities reported.

Surigao-Agusandistrict

Diwalwal-Masaradistrict

Zamboanga

Cotabato

MindanaoCentral

Cordillera

Known district

Areas of interest

Source: Fernando Sajona, Geologic Setting and Mineral Potential of the Philippines, 2006.

Mindanao plays a vital role in maritime

activities in Southeast

Asia

Thus, the U.S. is very much concerned on the status of:– GPH-MILF Peace Talks– Implementation of the 1996 Final

Peace Agreement between the GPH and the MNLF

– GPH-NDF Peace Talks– Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters– Abu Sayyaf Group– Crime-Terrorism-Insurgency Situation

in Mindanao– Warlordism and Private Armed

Groups in Mindanao– Over-all state of local governance in

the Southern Philippines

www.pipvtr.com

READ: Thomas Lum, The Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests.Washington DC: Congressional Research Service, 5 April 2012.

CONCLUSION




• In the Joint Statement signed after the 2+2 meeting, both

countries recognize that “The U.S.-Philippines alliance is stronger than ever, reflecting the deep and abiding ties linking our two nations and forged through a history of shared sacrifice and common purpose.”




• They also acknowledge that “Americans and Filipinos are

inextricably bound by common values and shared aspirations, including a commitment to democracy and the rule of law, building a robust economic partnership, and deepening people-to-people ties.”




Their alliance

“remains an anchor for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism

ResearchConsulting – Training - Researching

Countering Political Violence and Terrorism Through Peace Research www.pipvtr.com

Will the RP-US

Alliance bring peace and development in Mindanao?




Thank you very much




increased us military presence in the philippines: implications for peace and development in...

Documents