US Ambassador Thomas reaffirms Philippine-US ties

MANILA, Philippines – For the nth time, US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. reaffirmed the strong security ties between Manila and Washington.

Thomas noted that “as (the US Agency for International Development) and the Peace Corps commemorate their 50th anniversary in the Philippines, I am reminded of our long and shared history of working together.”

“As we prepare to celebrate our Independence Day on July 4, and in celebration of your own Independence Day on June 12, my greatest wish is that both our nations will celebrate a new kind of independence. I hope that we can become energy independent, and harness our own resources to fuel our industries, our homes, and our dreams,” he said.

Thomas also said, “with that goal, our partnership is destined to grow stronger over the years.”

According to the US diplomat, “the US and the Philippines share the same goals when it comes to clean energy development.”

“Both of our nations want to find ways to meet the Philippines’ national energy needs while lessening the drastic effects of changing climate conditions,” he said.

Through USAID’s Climate Change and Clean Energy Program, “we will support public consultations, capability building and technical analysis on the renewable portfolio standards and the NREP. We will be your partner in gaining active participation and support of stakeholders from the public and private sectors,” said Thomas.

He added, “through the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy Program, we will continue to work with you on rural electrification. We will be with you in harnessing renewable energy in the countryside to expand access to electricity in remote villages.”

Speaking during the launch of the Philippine national renewable energy program (NREP) at a Makati City hotel, Thomas last week emphasized “the Philippines and the US are longstanding (Mutual Defense) treaty allies.”

“We are strategic partners. We will continue to consult each other closely on the South China Sea, Spratly islands and other issues,” the envoy said.

His remarks were posted on the website of the US Embassy in Manila.

In a June 3 profile on the Philippines, the US Department of State pointed out the strong security relationship between Manila and Washington “rests on the (1951) RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.”

The report – prepared by the State Department’s Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs – is currently posted on the website of the US Embassy in Manila.

The bureau, headed by Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell, handles international affairs with 31 countries and geographic entities, including the Philippines.

Signed on Aug. 13, 1951, in Washington, D.C., the Mutual Defense Treaty provides that Manila could count on Washington’s support if the situation with Beijing over the Spratlys dispute deteriorated.

The treaty “has been a long-standing, vital aspect of Philippine defense policy and posture,” according to Foreign Assistant Secretary J. Eduardo Malaya.

“It is the sole defensive framework entered into by the Philippines. It has served both countries well since the 1950s and has continuing relevance,” said Malaya, also spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the incoming Philippine ambassador to Malaysia.

In the same report, the State Department cited the Philippine government for its “efforts to reduce tensions among rival claimants to the territories and waters of the resource-rich South China Sea.”

The agency also noted “in its foreign policy, the Philippines cultivates constructive relations with its Asian neighbors with whom it is linked through membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

“The Philippines chaired ASEAN from 2006 to 2007, hosting the ASEAN Heads of State Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum… The Philippines has played a key role in ASEAN in recent years, ratifying the ASEAN charter in Oct. 2008,” said the State Department.

According to the State Department, “US-Philippine relations are based on shared history and commitment to democratic principles, as well as on economic ties.”

“The historical and cultural links between the Philippines and the US remain strong. The Philippines modeled its governmental institutions on those of the US and continues to share a commitment to democracy and human rights. At the most fundamental level of bilateral relations, human links continue to form a strong bridge between the two countries. There are an estimated four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the US, and more than 300,000 American citizens in the Philippines,” it said.

The agency said “the post-US bases era has seen US-Philippine relations improved and broadened with a prominent focus on economic and commercial ties while maintaining the importance of the security dimension.”

“US investment continues to play an important role in the Philippine economy, while a strong security relationship rests on the Mutual Defense Treaty. In Feb. 1998, US and Philippine negotiators concluded the Visiting Forces Agreement, paving the way for increased military cooperation under the MDT,” it also said.

Under the VFA, “the US has conducted ship visits to Philippine ports and resumed large combined military exercises with Philippine forces.”

“Annual bilateral military exercises contribute directly to the Philippine armed forces’ efforts to combat the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (terrorist) groups and bring development and relief to conflict- and disaster-affected areas. The exercises include not only combined military training but also civil-military affairs and humanitarian projects,” said the agency.

To counter transnational terrorism and insurgency, “the US government is helping to increase the abilities of military and civilian law enforcement agencies,” it added.