24 May 2006 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Defense Secretary Avelino J. Cruz, Jr., and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney announced the establishment of the Security Engagement Board (SEB), a new security consultative mechanism for RP-US cooperation on non-traditional security concerns.

The SEB is not a new treaty as it merely implements existing bilateral treaties with the US. As in the MDB, the bicameral Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOCVFA) shall have oversight over the SEB. Romulo and Cruz have submitted a joint memorandum informing the LOCVFA on the establishment of the SEB. Both will be further briefing the members of the LOCVFA on the matter shortly.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) worked together in establishing the SEB. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. jointly recommended its establishment to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who subsequently approved said recommendation.

Thereafter, an exchange of diplomatic notes between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and US Ambassador Kenney took place to establish the SEB. The establishment of the SEB follows the same process that led to the creation of the Mutual Defense Board (MDB) that was established in 1958 under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951 through an exchange of diplomatic notes between then Foreign Affairs Secretary Felixberto Serrano and then US Ambassador Charles Bohlen.

The SEB complements the existing MDB mechanism that focuses on cooperation against traditional or conventional threats such as an external armed attack envisioned under the 1951 MDT. Building upon the long-standing bilateral relations between RP and US, the SEB shall serve as the mechanism for consultation and planning of measures and arrangements focused on addressing non-traditional security concerns. The SEB shall recommend these activities for consideration and approval by the RP government in accordance with the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Non-traditional security concerns are current and emerging security threats such as international terrorism, transnational crimes, maritime safety and security, natural and man-made disasters, and the threat of a pandemic outbreak that arise from non-state actors and transcend national borders. These security concerns have necessitated defense and military organizations of various nations to perform non-traditional roles to address them, as part of an inter-agency, whole-of-government effort.

"The establishment of the SEB demonstrates the Philippines' commitment to enhance its own capability and contribute to the international effort to address these current and emerging security threats in an evolving security environment,” Secretary Romulo emphasized.

Secretary Cruz underscored that, "Transnational non-traditional security threats highlight the need for cooperation among nations in the face of common security challenges. The SEB affords us the opportunity to develop focused and comprehensive responses to address them."

Both Secretary Romulo and Secretary Cruz emphasized that the establishment of the SEB is a pioneering initiative of the Philippines in the area of defense and security cooperation. It is seen as an emerging model for bilateral cooperation in addressing non-traditional security concerns.

For her part, Ambassador Kenney stated that, "The Philippines and the United States have enjoyed a long-standing relationship. The Philippines is a 50-year mutual defense treaty partner, regional Ally, and a major non-NATO ally. The establishment of the SEB is a significant step forward in our bilateral partnership."

For further details, please contact:

Department of National Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz Tel. No.: 421-2204
Department of Foreign Affairs Atty. Gilbert Asuque Tel. No.: 834-3828
US Embassy, Manila Mr. Matthew Lussenhop Tel. No.: 526-0357