Irked Marcos Threatens Review of U.S. Bases

President Ferdinand E. Marcos, rankled by moves to cut U.S. military aid to his government, today called for a commission to consider renegotiating an agreement permitting U.S. bases in the Philippines.

Marcos also asserted that Manila is not headed the way of Nicaragua and declared that he would fight “to the death” to hold onto power.

Marcos said his government has been the target of a “big lie campaign” by the United States that had apparently influenced perceptions of the Philippines in Congress and “encouraged ideas of intervention in our affairs.”

“I have my own ideas about this whole thing on military facilities,” Marcos, 67, told graduates of the National Defense College during a televised ceremony at the presidential palace.

The House voted last week to cut the Reagan Administration request for $100 million in military aid to the Philippines in 1986 to $25 million, while increasing economic aid from $95 million to $155 million. The Senate, however, has endorsed the Administration request.

Marcos said a commission should consider whether to renegotiate the agreement, which expires in 1989, allowing the U.S. bases--Clark Air Base, home of the 13th Air Force, and the sprawling repair and supply facility for the U.S. 7th Fleet at Subic Bay.

“We have an agreement with the party that is in power. Now let the party in power tell us what is happening. Do we need to renegotiate or not?