Ratification of Senate Resolution 788, the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia, will meet the emerging challenges in the region and strengthen both naval and maritime forces and indeed the defense force.
Filipino military men maybe the best. However, training and equipment count too in the success of addressing security threats.
The realities facing the Philippines are that the country is ill-equipped maritime forces incapable to maintain maritime security against the alarming and heightened aggressiveness posed by China today.
The threats regional and global are not imaginary, and it is imperative that Philippine defense force is trained and equipped.
One may ask why ratify?
Here are points to ponder:
1. Australia’s strategic location between the Indian and the Pacific oceans and the military structures in the north and the west make the country a very important partner in terms of maritime security. And maritime security is a shared interest with the Philippines. This is the very reason why US “re-engagement in the Asia-Pacific” has deployed troops in Darwin which will give the advantage of reaching Southeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean fast and efficient.
Australia is the leverage to the region. The bilateral agreement with USA is also seen to address the recent aggressive mood of China in its claim for the South China Sea and the need to counterbalance an increasingly powerful China. Also, before US can help the Philippines, Australia is where the force is coming from. It just makes sense to ratify SOVFA with Australia when the Philippines has offered the same treaty with the USA.
2. Defence and security cooperation between the two countries include high level policy talks, training of approximately 130 defence personnel in Australia and visits by senior officials. The defence relationship has a budget around $4.0 to 4.5 million focused on counter terrorism, maritime security and assistance to Philippine Defence Reform Program.
In May 2007, during President Arroyo’s visit to Australia the bilateral SOVFA was signed which now needs to be ratified while Australia has ratified SOVFA in the same year 2007. In 2003 a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism was signed, and another MOU on Combating Transnational Crime was signed in Canberra. Australia’s counter-terrorism cooperation includes practical assistance in policing, immigration and port and airport security.
3. Australia is the largest grant aid donor to the Philippines with an estimate of $129 million for 2012 -13 focused on education, economic growth, stability and human security.
4. SOVFA’s concept is that it does not grant any country’s desire to expand and preserve its position of advantage over others.
5. SOVFA defines the rights and responsibilities of visitng forces and the host country on criminal and civil jurisdictions, claims, entry, and exit of personnel and property, movement of vessels, aircrafts and vehicles and carrying of arms among others.
6. SOVFA does not give basing rights nor will it authorise either country to deploy troops or conduct operations in the other’s territory.
7. There is reciprocal provision which means joint exercises.
8. It has provisions on criminal jurisdictions.
9. There is unique provision on Environmental Protection where conduct of exercises are prohibited in protected areas.
10. Australia is ASEAN’s first dialogue partner and an active ASEAN Regional Forum participant.
Are Senators Joker Arroyo, Ralph Recto, Serge Osmena III, Ferdinand Marcos, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Manuel Villar so convinced and so sure that the Philippines does not need mutual defense with Australia? Do they really believe that there is no need for the Philippines to have military alliance and cooperation?
With due respect, SOVFA with Australia is not a danger nor a threat to the Philippines. In fact it provides and completes the shield of enhanced protection and security.
I am certain that Philippine senators are aware that the Philippines has several bilateral relationships from North to South and this completes the protection.
SOVFA was passed at the second reading at the Senate before the sine die adjournment and will be put to vote for the third reading when the Senate resumes next month.
Here is a case to ratify SOVFA with Australia.
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What is going with these senators? These are the same senators who sided for the ex Chief Justice during the impeachment hearing. They are losing it whatever gray matter left in their heads. Shame on them.
I agree with Mr. Jose I. Garcia’s comment. I could personally see that there is no threat to the Philippines with the SOVFA (Status of Visiting Forces Agreement) with Australia. Australia is one of our ally in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian nation summit. I believed it will only strenghten the Australian-Philippines foreign trade and diplomatic relations as these two nations are in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr. Garcia and Ms. Pendleton, thank you for your comments. Both of you are absolutely right that Australia is no threat to the Philippines when SOVFA is ratified. Indeed ratification will enhance diplomatic and trade relations.
Again thanks for the support to SOVFA.
I was born and raised in the Philippines but left the Philippines stateless, the same way my mother left the Philippines, stateless.
But we are proud to belong to our motherland where our hearts and minds was formed. Being Australian citizens for more than 30 years now did not make us lose that same hearts and minds. They still belong to our motherland and watch like a hawk what has been going on there through TFC. It is good that we have news, informations that we can get through the local Pinoy papers,web,email and the recent information session with APCO and the Philippine Consulate – Sydney.
It is very sad to hear time and time again the Philippines is losing its sovereignty over some of its rich territories. We don’t want history to repeat itself, lose the Philippines slowly from much bigger, stronger, richer countries especially one like China.
It is sad to admit the Philippines needs all the support it can get from its richer, powerfull allies like America and Australia. Some of us may not like it, but in reality, the big picture is, the Philippines needs them badly.
We need all the prayers for a miracle to happen, but we as Pinoys still have to act, peacefully and we can do that through the web worldwide.
The observations and comments are supported by many or all of us.Though we migrated still the love of our country is with us. As our great national hero Dr. Jose P.Rizal has said, ” Love of country can never be effaced once it has penetrated the heart for it carries with it a divine stamp which renders it eternal and imperishable”.
May I propose that we write to the senators that SOVFA is a case to ratify and we Filipinos Australians stand solidly behind the concept of the treaty. In this era, the Philippines need a friendly partner in the region as leverage against any bully.That SOVFA completes the ‘protection shield’ of our country.
Mabuhay!
Good day, I was present during the Scarborough Shoal Information Session organised by APCO on Saturday, 30 June.
Yes, as time is of the essence it is imperative that the SOVFA be ratified asap. The Philippines does not lose anything but will gain a whole lot more if this is ratified.
That was a forum where community members of all colours were present.
Solidly and strongly standing with you on the SOVFA ratification.
Thanks!