“Repeated infringements” on the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) called for the enhancement of the country’s defense capabilities, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a forum in the United States on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Manalo, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum in Washington, D.C., cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s intention to continue upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the long-disputed WPS through “peaceful and legal means.”
This developed as China said Tuesday the ongoing “Balikatan” joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US should not interfere with the disputes in the South China Sea.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that the cooperation between Manila and Washington should not target any third party.
“Exchange and cooperation between relevant countries should not target any third party and should be conducive to regional peace and stability,” Wang said.
“The US-Philippines military cooperation must not interfere in South China Sea disputes, still less harm China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests and security interests,” he added in a media briefing.
But Manalo said: “The Philippines has been clear and consistent about our interests in maintaining the South China Sea as a sea of peace and stability, and our aim to boost our defense capabilities, including in the framework of EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement).”
“Nevertheless, repeated infringements on our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction; and other destabilizing actions that go against international law, the 1982 UNCLOS, and the spirit and letter of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea also necessitates the enhancement of our defense capabilities,” the country’s top diplomat added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs chief also pointed out that safeguarding the country’s rights in its own exclusive economic zone, and exercising those rights without harassment or denial of access “is as much about protecting our fisherfolk’s livelihood and ensuring their access to fishing grounds as it is about preserving our marine resources for future generations.”
In February, the DFA accused China of destabilizing peace and security in the WPS after Chinese coast guard personnel used a laser pointer against a Philippine government ship conducting a resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal.
This prompted Mr. Marcos to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, while the DFA filed a diplomatic protest against China over the incident.
Manalo bewailed that such activities have been causing concerns to the Philippines, which is why they had to talk with China to see how they could be resolved, stopped, or minimized and from there “build on a way to ensure that we can manage our differences.”
“And at the same time, though, we’re also looking at our internal needs to expand our security… whether it be with the United States or even other partners in the region.”
“We are doing this simultaneously, improving our ability to defend ourselves and at the same time talking with China and urging them to observe the UNCLOS and other aspects of the rule of law,” Manalo said.
Malacañang recently announced the four additional Philippine military facilities that US forces will be given access to under EDCA — Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
China previously raised concerns about the new EDCA sites, saying they could draw the Philippines into a “potential conflict” in the Taiwan Strait.
There are already five existing EDCA locations — the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Philippines and the US started on Tuesday their biggest joint military exercises to develop interoperability and improve capability (see top story – Editors).
Over 17,600 servicemen—5,400 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 12,200 US military personnel—will participate in the 38th Balikatan exercise scheduled from April 11 to 28.
According to AFP, 111 military personnel from the Australian Defense Force would also join the exercises.
More personnel from 12 countries would also serve as observers in Balikatan, the military said.
The military and naval forces will work on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban and aviation operations, cyber defense, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
“This year’s iteration includes a bilateral command post exercise that will strengthen the Allies’ ability to plan, coordinate, and provide command and control of forces together against a range of scenarios and simulated challenges,” the US Embassy in the Philippines said.
“This training event will also enable the AFP and the U.S. military to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures related to maritime security, and deconflict fires and maneuver in a shared and contested battlespace,” the embassy said.