UK-Philippines military training

UK-Philippines military training

MANILA (AFP): British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who is
seeking an agreement for joint military training in the
Philippines, would support a pact providing reciprocal legal
protection for soldiers, a British source said here yesterday.

Under this proposal, British troops participating in exercises
in the Philippines would enjoy legal protection when performing
their duties here and Philippine troops participating in training
in Britain would enjoy a similar status.

The source said Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon
asked Cook during their meeting on Saturday if Britain would be
"agreeable to a reciprocal agreement" and Cook said that he
would.

Britain has been seeking an agreement for joint military
training in this country but would need a "Status of Forces
Agreement" covering the legal jurisdiction of their troops here.