The Philippines should pursue bilateral talks with China over its claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and not let other countries intervene, the group Makabansang Alyansa (Makabansa) said Monday.
In a statement, Makabansa spokesman Roperto “Bing” Nambio said multilateral and third-party countries “who have no territorial claims” in the WPS “should never be entertained” as the Philippines continues negotiating with China.
Diplomatic solutions and negotiations “are the key elements in resolving the West Philippine Sea crisis,” Nambio said, as the use of military force “and even show of force is detrimental to the attainment of peace.”
Previously, Makabansa urged the United States to withdraw its military presence in the WPS and the disputed waters of the South China Sea and allow the Philippines “to pursue a sovereign and non-aligned foreign policy” in the waterway.
Members of Makabansa trooped to the US Embassy in Manila for a lighting rally on Labor Day following their Opening Congress in Tondo, Manila to voice their objections to the American presence in the disputed waterway, which is claimed by China, the Philippines, and several other countries.
“To lessen tension between claimants, a country with no territorial claims (such as the US) should withdraw from the WPS. In the case of the Philippines, bilateral talks between claimant China and our country should be pursued,” the group’s statement added.
Makabansa views the US naval presence in the WPS “as a form of imperialist intervention and aggression and intimidation to flex its military and economic interest beyond its territorial waters.”
“We should never invoke the US in any way in the negotiation and talks in the West Philippine Sea. It’s the vital interest of the US and not of the Philippines that is being pursued by them (Americans),” the group added.
Makabansa also urged President Rodrigo Duterte to “permanently junk” the Visiting Forces Agreement “and other military treaties like EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) that uses the Philippines as a base for the US military.”