Philippines signs agreement to host anti-terrorism forces

Washington Post
November 22, 2002

The United States and the Philippines, boosting anti-terrorism cooperation, signed a controversial agreement that will allow U.S. forces to use the Asian country as a supply point for military operations.

The Philippines, a former U.S. territory whose own troops are fighting Muslim militants accused of being linked to the al Qaeda network, has been a vociferous supporter of the Washington-led war on terror.

But the presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines this year and concerns about Manila's wider involvement in Washington's anti-terror campaign has provoked strong protests in the country, which asked the United States to vacate its permanent bases here in 1992.

The Philippines hosted more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers for about six months to train Filipino forces in counterterrorism, but has stopped short of allowing a permanent U.S. presence in line with its constitution.

"The objective of this agreement is to enhance the effectiveness . . . of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. armed forces in the fight against terrorism," Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes told reporters.

Shortly after the signing of the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), about 100 protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila to denounce the accord and Washington's threat to launch military strikes against Iraq if it fails to disarm.

"The MLSA will make the Philippines a staging area, transit point and recreation spot for U.S. troops in this dirty war," the protesters said in a leaflet.

The pact allows the U.S. military to set up storage centers for ammunition, spare parts, fuel, food and other supplies. But it expressly excludes nuclear or chemical weapons, as well as guided missiles and torpedoes. The U.S. Navy has a logistics base in Singapore.

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Nieuwe Oorlog 2002 | Ander Nieuws week 48