The MLSA - the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement - is a pretty obscure arrangement between the United States and the Philippines. Unlike the Mutual Defense Treaty, upon which the military arrangement of the two countries is based, and the Visiting Forces Agreement, which sets out the terms upon which US military service members can operate in the country, the MLSA does not get much coverage in the media.
The MLSA is an "agreement for reciprocal provision of logistics support, supplies, and services between the
Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States military."
The reason it is significant is because it defines the terms upon which US Navy ships can be assisted when they visit ports like Subic. In Singapore, an MLSA is used extensively to repair and supply US Navy ships. The MLSA in the Philippines was drafted with broader military support in mind so it has limitations in how it can be used for ship supply.
That might be changing.
On April 30, the secretaries of defense and state of the United States (Leon Panetta and Hillary Clinton) will meet with the secretaries of defense and foreign affairs for the Philippines. Officials of this level don't sit down together unless they have something to announce. The actual negotiations are done by underlings prior to the meeting.
There is a lot of speculation that one of the announcements will be that the MLSA has been re-negotiated and this could have a significant impact on Subic. Rather than ship visits where sailors buy souvenirs and hit the bars and restaurants, while the ship cooks buy vegetables (which is what we have now), a broader arrangement with significant ship repair, servicing and supply could be in the works. This will mean jobs and business for Subic, as well as likely an upgraded pier.
Visits by the US military have their controversies but the economically stagnant Subic needs all the help it can get and an increased US military presence would be welcomed by everyone except the most radical anti-American groups.
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