Manila yesterday allowed the return of US troops amid heightening regional tension over China's 'unlawful' dominance of the South China Sea.
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled Tuesday a security accord with the United States was legal, allowing more US forces into the former American colony as it seeks to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea.
The 10-year agreement, signed in 2014 but not implemented due to legal challenges, will see more US troops and warships rotate through the Philippines, and the hosts will receive help in building military facilities.
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Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said the accord was upheld with a 10-4 vote, ruling that President Benigno Aquino’s government had the authority to sign the pact and did not need congressional approval.
The pact “is a mere implementation of existing laws and treaties”, Te said.
Aquino negotiated the accord to help the Philippines improve its military capabilities and draw the United States closer, partly to counter a fast-expanding Chinese presence in disputed parts of the South China Sea.
US President Barack Obama also pushed hard for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as part of his so-called strategic “pivot” to Asia that has involved strengthening the American military presence in the region.
However it faced immediate legal challenges from groups opposed to US military involvement in the Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946.
The Philippines hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992, the year after the Philippine Senate voted to end the leases in the face of strong anti-US sentiment.
Philippine military chief General Hernando Iriberri immediately welcomed Tuesday’s ruling, saying the accord would help the country address short-term “capability gaps” and modernize its armed forces.
Beijing was fast to deplore Manila's decision by describing it as provoking a conflict in the region.
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled Tuesday a security accord with the United States was legal, allowing more US forces into the former American colony as it seeks to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea.
The 10-year agreement, signed in 2014 but not implemented due to legal challenges, will see more US troops and warships rotate through the Philippines, and the hosts will receive help in building military facilities.
Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said the accord was upheld with a 10-4 vote, ruling that President Benigno Aquino’s government had the authority to sign the pact and did not need congressional approval.
The pact “is a mere implementation of existing laws and treaties”, Te said.
Aquino negotiated the accord to help the Philippines improve its military capabilities and draw the United States closer, partly to counter a fast-expanding Chinese presence in disputed parts of the South China Sea.
US President Barack Obama also pushed hard for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as part of his so-called strategic “pivot” to Asia that has involved strengthening the American military presence in the region.
However it faced immediate legal challenges from groups opposed to US military involvement in the Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946.
The Philippines hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992, the year after the Philippine Senate voted to end the leases in the face of strong anti-US sentiment.
Philippine military chief General Hernando Iriberri immediately welcomed Tuesday’s ruling, saying the accord would help the country address short-term “capability gaps” and modernize its armed forces.
Beijing was fast to deplore Manila's decision by describing it as provoking a conflict in the region.