Philippine Senate OKs Bill Opposed by U.S. That Would Bar Nuclear Weapons

The Philippine Senate, by a vote of 19 to 3 with one abstention, approved an anti-nuclear bill on Monday that U.S. officials warned could seriously hamper the operations of strategic American military bases in the country.

The 200-member House of Representatives still has to come up with its own version of the bill implementing a provision in the new constitution banning nuclear weapons in the country. This is unlikely before the bicameral Congress adjourns on Friday.

The Senate bill bars the “development, manufacture, acquisition, testing, use, introduction, installation or storage” of nuclear arms and components. It bans nuclear-powered ships and planes unless their entry is authorized by a Philippine commission.

In Washington, a State Department official reiterated the U.S. position, saying, “We feel the bill is too rigid and is in conflict with our policy of neither confirming nor denying that our vessels are carrying nuclear weapons.”

U.S. officials said it would be “extremely difficult” to operate Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base outside Manila if the measure became law.