ARE WE PROVOKING CHINA? Party-list lawmaker assails PH-US war games near Panatag Shoal

From InterAksyon (Jun 27): ARE WE PROVOKING CHINA? Party-list lawmaker assails PH-US war games near Panatag Shoal

The conduct of joint naval exercises of the Philippines and the United States near the disputed Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales constitute “a provocative act” that will only “heighten tension” between Manila and Beijing, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said Thursday.

“While we should strongly assert our territory against China we should not allow a bully to replace another bully. It also serves the imperialist agenda of the US making its pivot to Asia to reinforce its hegemony and promote the US war industry,” Colmenares said.

The congressman assailed the joint war games near what is also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

“We denounce President Benigno Aquino III’s subservience, undermining of our sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of the dispute. The US troops should be pulled out," Colmenares said.

"We will file a resolution to junk the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA),” he added.

Since April last year, China has occupied the shoal with civilian fishing boats, and civilian government patrol ships, preventing Filipino fishermen to fish in the area.

The Philippines has elevated the issue for arbitration before an international court.
The naval drill that involves US warships is called the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercise.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/65054/are-we-provoking-china-party-list-lawmaker-assails-ph-us-war-games-near-panatag-shoal