Issue: The Philippines government, to protect the countrys territorial integrity, should expand US Military presence by allowing temporary

access to or use of former military bases. Affirmative side: Beneficiality Question: Whether or not the expansion of the US Military presence is beneficial to the Philippines. Key Points: The expanded presence of US Military and temporary access to or use of former military bases is beneficial to the security of our sovereign and territorial integrity. 1. Geopolitical Issues Territorial claim of China o Which includes virtually all of the South China Sea o China asserts that the islands in the South China Sea and surrounding waters were part of Chinas core interests. o Therefore, all islands and waters inside the line, belong to Chinese sovereignty. o This is the biggest attempted grab of territory since WWII by China Chinas aggressive and assertive stance on its claim over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal situated in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)

 There are reports that the Chinese Government is going after Ayungin Shoal, long considered part of the Philippine territory. These circumstances pose a great danger to the security of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Now, under the 1987 Philippine Constitution specifically Article II Section 3, it is provided that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and integrity of the national territory. It is very clear that our Constitution itself recognizes the role of the AFP in protecting Philippine sovereignty and safeguarding the integrity of our national territory. But then the question is: How can our military forces protect and safeguard the Philippine territory if it is tagged as the weakest in Asia? In order to achieve a minimum credible defense, to borrow the words of Gen. Voltaire Gazmin, we need to modernize our military and defense capabilities. However, this would take time because, as admitted by Pres. P-noy himself, there are budgetary constraints. Allowing the US Military temporary access to former bases will allow us to drastically reduce the time it takes to achieve a minimum credible defense. Access to our bases will serve as a strong deterrent against aggression from China. Under our Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, the US recognizes that an armed attack

against the Philippines would be dangerous to the formers peace and security and that the US would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes. According to Deputy Spokesperson Valte, the use of the military bases would benefit our soldiers because they will have more knowledge and information-sharing when it comes to upgrading our capabilities. Thus, our military would already be prepared and trained to use the modern military hardware which the government intends to purchase. According to del Rosario and Gazmin (to Congress) the expanded American presence would translate to more resources and training on disaster response and we could take advantage of the opportunity to obtain access to capabilities, intelligence and capacity that our own Government could not generate on its own. 2. Economic Benefits The expanded presence of US Military and temporary access to or use of former military bases is economically beneficial to the Philippines. We all know for a fact, that under the VFA there are no specific provisions as regards the economic benefit package that our government would receive from the US. However, despite such absence, civic and humanitarian aids have been extended by the US government. To mention a few:

o During the Balikatan Military exercises several school buildings were constructed o Donated medical equipment to rural health clinics o Construction of roads and bridges o US substantially increased military assistance like Foreign Military Financing Funds were given and used to provide assistance in reconstruction, security and stabilization in the Southern Philippines The increased military presence would also result in increased consumption spending in the areas around the bases leading to direct and indirect employment. The spending of US dollars by American forces would significantly improve the status of our foreign exchange reserves and strengthen our currency. The economic benefits provided will allow us to spend less on military expenditures, and allow these funds to be used for basic services such education, health and poverty reduction which are also equally important. In conclusion, the expanded US Military presence and temporary access to or use of former military bases, is beneficial not only for the protection of our territorial integrity but economically beneficial as well.

 give our troops enhanced It is unkown to all of us that the present problem on our territorial integrity are the advancements made in.. Pres. Aquino acknowledges that we need to create a minimum credible defense. We submit that the expansion of the military is not a minimum credible defense. US has publicly consistently na hindi siya makikialam sa South China sea. ---sea lanes --- MDT --- hindi raw tayo humihingi

 Korea, Libya,

UN abhors aggression thru the security council

Beneficiality --- If we allow , it will require manpower and equipment, Recreating the former basis Will necessarily require the Subic We are being used as a pawn Rebalancing of power, Baka ma-escalate yung conflict