ONE of the issues highlighted by the recent visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines was her government’s intent to seek an expansion of its military presence in the Philippines.

This was subsequently followed by her statement in presence of President BBM: “An armed attack on the Philippines armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. Mutual Defense commitments… “and that is an unwavering commitment that we have to the Philippines.”

It was clearly a saber-rattling statement aimed at making PH in the middle of a worsening conflict between the US and China in the region. Do we need this?

She cited the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty but ignored the basic tenets defined under the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement to put an to the operations of US military bases in PH because of the one-sided provision in the 1951 treaty.

Also, the Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign troops in the country except when they are covered by treaties or agreements, but foreign forces are also banned from engaging in local combat.

But to the surprise of Filipinos, PBBM’s response to Ms. Harris was equally worrisome. He was reported to have said “this partnership becomes even more important” with tacit reference to China’s increasing presence in the region.

President BBM has since maintained that PH “is a friend to everyone, not a foe to anyone,” as the country’s basic foreign policy, as articulated by his predecessor President Duterte.

Now comes the exchange of statements between Mr. Marcos and Ms. Harris that now threatens that policy. More US military bases, as proposed, in the country will inevitably pit PH vs China. “

“Foe to no one”?

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