Defense

“We are proud to stand by your side.”
These were some of the words uttered by Ambassador Harry Thomas during a reception on board the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which docked in Manila Bay recently, saying that the US-PH relationship “is a commitment born of shared histories and close ties,” and that the United States is prepared for any threats to security that the Philippines might face in the future.
He was quick to emphasize that this commitment to defend the country does not carry with it the condition of setting up a base.
President Aquino made a personal visit to the carrier which, only a few weeks ago, became the site for burial rites of the world’s most notorious terrorist — Osama bin Laden, who was shot and killed by the US Navy SEALs at Abbottabad, Pakistan and buried at the Arabian Sea.
However, militant groups see it otherwise.
“The USS Carl Vinson, now more renowned as the death ship of Osama bin Laden, has docked in Philippine waters to further project US military might in the region,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes.
Reyes further said that the presence of the USS Carl Vinson in Philippine waters “is a reminder of the unequal relations that have persisted between the Philippines and the US, long after the US bases were booted out.”
But Malacañang verified that no talks about the Visiting Forces Agreement were made while the president made his visit since there were no American officials present when it docked on Philippine waters.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said that the visit was nothing more than a mere port of call—part of the defense cooperation between Manila and Washington, adding that the carrier will only be in the Philippines for four days.
Malacañang also allayed concerns about a possible backlash from extremist groups who were supporters of bin Laden, against Pres. Aquino’s carrier visit.
According to Carandang, Ambassador Thomas organized the tour and invited President Aquino sometime ago.
President Aquino was able to reach out to over 100 Filipino-Americans who were part of the 1,000-man crew as well.
With US-PH relations lasting for decades and weathering so many storms along the way, it is quite easy to misconstrue any ceremonial act as a veiled attempt to bring back the US bases into the Philippines.
While there may be differing points of view over this commitment, one thing should remain constant—our own armed forces and military should always be on their feet, ensuring that national security is top of mind.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek May 18-20, 2011 Sec A pg.6)