Treaty, 'shared history of sacrifice' compel US to fulfill defense commitment to PH - envoy

From InterAksyon (Apr 9): Treaty, 'shared history of sacrifice' compel US to fulfill defense commitment to PH - envoy

US ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg stands beside President Aquino at Mt. Samat Shrine at the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites marking the fall of Bataan to Japanese imperial forces 72 years ago. MALACANANG PHOTO

 

The United States Ambassador to the Philippines on Wednesday affirmed his country’s broad assurance of aid should its treaty ally come under an external attack, vowing as well continued defense cooperation as it inextricably gets dragged into escalating tensions in Asian waters.

 

In his speech at the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites at Mt. Samat Shrine marking the heroic defense of Bataan 72 years ago, Ambassador Philip Goldberg said, "As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural disasters, so do we."

 

Goldberg added that history and recent developments have shown that “we can and will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to improve each other's militaries and our nations as a whole."

 

His speech comes as Manila and Washington are finalizing a framework agreement on increased US rotational presence in its former colony, which bore the brunt of World War II Japanese atrocities as Filipinos held the line against the Japanese imperial army from 1942 until the US forces returned in 1944.

 

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the US is obligated to help the Philippines in case of an external armed attack.

 

Goldberg said their commitment to come to Manila’s aid is not just based on a treaty obligation, but anchored on the shared "history of sacrifice" between Filipino and American soldiers during World War II.

 

He said the shared history "forges the special relationship" or bond of both Manila and Washington. "Like soldiers walking side by side, our friendship is stronger through the adversity we have faced together.”

 

This year’s commemoration of Bataan’s Fall was also tinged with ironies: joining President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and Ambassador Goldberg at Mt. Samat Shrine was Japan’s ambassador to Manila Toshinao Urabe, who delivered a stirring short speech apologizing for the “inexplicable suffering” of Filipinos during World War II. Its regrettable role in the last war accounted for Japan’s vow never to wage war on others, he explained.

 

US engages China over rows with Japan, Philippines

 

US officials have in the last week come face to face in separate events with Chinese, Philippine and Japanese officials.  Like Manila which has a maritime dispute with Beijing over the West Philippine Sea (how Manila calls its territory in the South China Sea), Tokyo has a separate raging dispute with China over the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

 

Washington was urged by Beijing to rein in its defense ally Japan recently; and on another occasion, it was told by China not to take sides in the South China Sea row with another US defense treaty ally, the Philippines.

 

Goldberg acknowledged on Wednesday the remarkable circumstances today that found together the three nations bound in remembering the lessons of the last war: “Today, it's remarkable that not just our two nations but three—the US, the Philippines, and Japan—have forged close and enduring friendships alliances and strategic partnerships based on democratic values and mutual respect that came from the blood and sacrifice of our soldiers.”

 

In his speech, Goldberg did not specify the possible threats that could trigger the US’ coming to the Philippines’ defense, but it was seen as referenced to the continued tension over territorial claims.

 

Tensions escalated last March 29 when Chinese coastguard vessels tried to prevent a re-supply vessel from approaching the Philippines’ BRP Sierra Madre, hosting a Marine contingent in Ayungin Shoal that is part of the Kalayaan Island Group of the Philippines.

 

The next day, Manila filed its Memorial, or summary of arguments, before a UN arbitral tribunal in The Hague, where it elevated its complaint against China for what Manila called the “excessive claims” with the nine-dash-line map claiming virtually the entire South China Sea. Beijing’s foreign minister said the filing at The Hague “seriously damaged” their bilateral relations.

 

The maritime row has been in constant simmer since April 2012, when Chinese military vessels stopped Philippine fishery authorities from arresting Chinese fishermen poaching in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) off western Luzon.

 

Arbitration inevitable

 

The Philippines adopted a three-track approach to the territorial dispute with China, but decided to raise the matter to the UN court after Beijing insisted it would only entertain discussions of a bilateral nature.

 

The US, Japan and another Spratlys claimant –Vietnam—back the Philippines' decision to seek arbitration, with Washington praising Manila’s steadfast recourse to the rule of law, and noting the implications of the case on freedom of navigation.

 

Amid China's increasing military presence in the West Philippine Sea, Washington has been stepping up military assistance under Manila’s modernization program, while Japan has been providing equipment for the Philippine coastguard.

 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/84476/treaty-shared-history-of-sacrifice-compel-us-to-fulfill-defense-commitment-to-ph---envoy