Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — The recent agreements between the United States and the Philippines are not directed at any country, as these only aim to help in terms of defense capability and disaster resilience, said Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez.
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“Every country has its own interpretation. To us, we are only doing what is rightfully our right to defend ourselves. None of these moves are being directed to any country,” Romualdez told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Friday.
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This was his response when asked about the Chinese Embassy’s statement against the announcements made by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III regarding Washington’s commitment to help “address destabilizing activities” in Philippine waters.
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Beijing said Austin “smeared China on the issue of the South China Sea to advance the anti-China political agenda of the US.”
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Moreover, the defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and the US should not target or harm the interests of a third party, China said. It also warned that US efforts to step up military posture in the Asia-Pacific would only “escalate” tensions in the region.
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China has been rejecting the 2016 landmark ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that invalidated its claims over the South China Sea, and recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights to areas within its exclusive economic zone.
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Romualdez pointed out that defense capabilities are very important nowadays amid the changing world. Thus, the Philippine government is only doing what it can by working with allies “to make sure that we will continue to be able to defend ourselves, if and when the time comes.”
He also noted the commitment made by US Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Palawan in November 2022, reaffirming America’s support for long-standing ally Philippines amid tensions in the South China Sea.
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“We would like to work with like-minded countries that they will be able to do what we’ve been doing, which is to protect our territorial waters and protect our fishermen to do their livelihood,” Romualdez added.
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Rest assured, the Philippines is doing a good job in sustaining cordial relationships with both superpowers, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured China that he does not want trouble, he noted.
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Among the announcements yesterday was the establishment of four new sites to expand US military presence under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
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Authorities have yet to confirm the new locations, but it was earlier announced that Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela, and Palawan – all of which face China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula – had been proposed.
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Aside from improving the defense capability of the Philippine military, Romualdez said the new EDCA sites will help improve the armed forces’ mobility, making it easier for them to conduct exercises in these areas.
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The new locations will also allow faster disaster response in times of calamities, and for economic development of the local government units where these sites will be established, he added.
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Romualdez said the Philippines and US also briefly discussed the general details of conducting joint maritime exercises.
In a statement on Friday, the US Department of Defense said Austin and Galvez “agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea to help address these challenges.”
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“Actually, we don’t call it joint patrol, but joint exercises, maritime exercises,” Romualdez said. “That’s always been on the table. We’ve had that agreement with the United States as far back as 10 years ago. It’s merely just simply probably looking at reviving those maritime exercises that we have had with the United States, so that was discussed in general.”
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“Hopefully we will come to an agreement on the details/parameters for the renewal of joint maritime exercises within a month,” he also said.
READ: PH-US joint maritime patrols in West PH Sea ‘on the table’ – envoy’
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario meanwhile issued a statement welcoming the talks on joint exercises. He said this will help protect Filipino fishermen and support efforts of the country to develop its energy resources.
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