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.