Agreement May Give Philippines Major U.S. Air Base

The Philippine government would take over a major U.S. air base and four smaller military facilities after their lease expires in September under a tentative agreement reached in talks with American officials, the foreign secretary said Monday.

Raul Manglapus spoke after briefing the Cabinet on the progress of negotiations on the future of the six U.S. military bases in the Philippines. He said he expected a final round of talks next month.

Manglapus heads Filipino negotiators in the talks.

U.S. officials, however, denied that any agreement had been reached.

The United States maintains Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base--among the largest of America’s overseas military facilities--and four smaller installations under a 1947 agreement. But the lease runs out Sept. 16.

In order for the bases to remain or a U.S. military presence to continue after that date, two-thirds of the Philippines’ 23-member Senate must approve a new treaty.

“There is a tentative understanding to take over Clark,” Manglapus said. “In (Subic), we are entertaining the idea of a time during which the American presence will continue, then be phased out.”