On his confirmation hearing in front of the Commission on Appointments, Senator Franklin Drilon asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on his position regarding the military exercises with the US forces, wherein he discloses that President Duterte did not consult with the Cabinet before making such statements.
With the President’s incessant statements on wanting to end having military drills with the US, Drilon wished to hear about the actual status of the exercises and defense agreements in existence with the Americans.
Lorenzana’s answer to the question was that there was no decision on suspending or terminating the joint exercise, Visiting Forces Agreement and all other agreements made with the US as of current.
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Seeking guidance from Duterte over these matters, Lorenzana was advised to report his recommendations in the next Cabinet meeting in the coming month.
On his opinion regarding the joint military exercises, “It benefits our troops also. On the other hand, I think the Americans benefit more from these exercises with us”, expressing that these activities are mutually beneficial to the Philippines and US.
When asked by Drilon on the subject of termination when it was beneficial to both countries, “I really don’t know because the President has been issuing these statements without first consulting the Cabinet,” Lorenzana replied.
He adds to this, “If the President is really intent on what he is telling the media, I think I will recommend the scaling down of exercises next year – Balikatan, PHIBLEX, and concentrate on maybe upgrading HADR (human assistance disaster response) and counterterrorism.”
Lorenzana is hopeful that after next month’s Cabinet meeting, the President would be able to announce an official decision.
Source: (philstar.com)
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