Manila says typhoon shows need for US-Philippine military accord

MANILA: The swift US humanitarian response to the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan highlights the need to expand America’s military presence in the Philippines, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Monday.
He said a proposed agreement to strengthen the US military presence, which was being negotiated as the storm struck on Nov. 8, would allow for the easier delivery of relief aid by US forces in the future.
“I think the typhoon demonstrates the need for this framework,” del Rosario told reporters after meeting a US congressional delegation.
“It accentuates one of the main purposes of this framework, which is to make humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and response one of the major aspects of this agreement.” The proposed deal would allow more US troops, aircraft and ships to pass through the Philippines at a time when Washington is refocusing its attention on Asia.
It had also been seen as a counterweight to Chinese moves in the South China Sea, where Beijing has territorial disputes with US ally Manila. Despite months of talks, the Philippine and US governments have failed to sign the agreement due to some differences in their respective positions.
However the United States, particularly its military, has burnished its image in the former US colony through its extensive relief work after the typhoon ravaged the central Philippine islands, leaving almost 7,000 dead or missing.
Planes and helicopters from a US carrier group are leading an airlift of emergency aid to dozens of affected towns and villages.
“We want to be part of the solution,” US House of Representatives member Christopher Smith, who headed a congressional delegation to inspect the relief efforts, told a joint news conference.
He said del Rosario mentioned that the Philippines would need $1.3 billion to rebuild storm-damaged houses.