A proposed deal with the Philippes may see the U.S. Navy operating ships from that country

The Washington Post has reported that U.S. and Filipino officials are in the early stages of negotiating a deal that would see an expansion of Washington’s military presence in the Philippines.

Though the U.S. has stationed a small number of special forces troops in the country to assist Manila’s efforts to combat Islamist rebels, this deal, if successfully concluded, could allow the U.S. Navy to operate ships from the Philippines and rotate troops through bases there in addition to staging joint exercises.  Washington used to operate from a large base in the Philippines’ Subic Bay but left in 1992 when Manila decided not to renew the basing agreement.

This proposed new arrangement reflects increasing Filipino concern regarding assertive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea (which Manila has taken to naming the West Philippine Sea in an effort to bolster its own territorial claims).  It would also dovetail with the Obama administration’s pivot toward the Asia Pacific which has seen, for example, moves to station Littoral Combat Ships in Singapore and a deal with Australia increasing military co-operation between the U.S. military and Australian Defence Force.

A deal would serve U.S. efforts to disperse its forces in the Asia Pacific theatre, making them less vulnerable to attack in the early stages of any conflict with China.  An increased U.S. Navy presence in South East Asia would be key to any strategy of choking Chinese supply routes through the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca.

If these early negotiations are successful, further meetings will be held in March.  As such an arrangement would be in the stated interests of both states, it seems likely that some kind of agreement will be reached.