The Department of National Defense on Friday said it is open to the idea of the US deploying its air and naval equipment to the country, amid China's "agressive activities" in disputed waters off the western Philippine coast.
According to DND spokesman Peter Galvez, the deployment of more US defense equipment – if it materializes – will bolster the Philippines' defense capability.
“All these capabilities are very welcome, it will definitely enhance our capability to address several of our strategic concerns,” Galvez said.
“We have planned and looked where these may be appropriately deployed. Subic and Clark are among those areas that are being considered,” he continued.
Galvez's statement comes after Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a television interview that the US plans to send more navy and air force assets to Asia.
Del Rosario also sought more "substantive" support from the US, a long-time ally of the Philippines, to counter China's rapid expansion in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has repeatedly protested continuing Chinese reclamation works in parts of the South China Sea that Manila claims as part of the country's exclusive economic zone.
Global problem
Earlier on Friday, President Benigno Aquino III said China's actions in disputed marine areas in the South China Sea – parts of it Manila calls the West Philippine Sea – should be considered a global problem, not just a regional issue.
Also, Aquino said Beijing’s activities in the Spratlys will affect the flow of goods between and among countries.
“Ngayon, we keep asserting na ‘yung problema sa South China Sea hindi regional problem. Problema ng buong mundo,” the President said.
He also welcomed statements of support from the international community, including the recent statement from G7 foreign ministers opposing China’s reclamation activities in disputed waters.
“‘Yung pagsasalita ng mga ibang bansa, lalo na ‘yung hindi talaga nandito sa ating lugar, kumikilala doon sa bigat ng problema na problema ng lahat,” Aquino said.
Moreover, Aquino said that he will once again push for the crafting of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia later this month.
Recent satellite images showed an airstrip suitable for military use being built by China on reclaimed parts of Kagitingan Reef in the disputed Spratly archipelago.
Beijing is also reportedly undertaking reclamation work on Subu Reef in the Spratlys, creating landmasses that, if joined together, could create space for another 3,000-meter (3,281-yard) airstrip.
The Philippines has repeatedly protested continuing Chinese reclamation works in parts of the South China Sea that Manila claims as part of the country's exclusive economic zone.
Global problem
Earlier on Friday, President Benigno Aquino III said China's actions in disputed marine areas in the South China Sea – parts of it Manila calls the West Philippine Sea – should be considered a global problem, not just a regional issue.
Also, Aquino said Beijing’s activities in the Spratlys will affect the flow of goods between and among countries.
“Ngayon, we keep asserting na ‘yung problema sa South China Sea hindi regional problem. Problema ng buong mundo,” the President said.
He also welcomed statements of support from the international community, including the recent statement from G7 foreign ministers opposing China’s reclamation activities in disputed waters.
“‘Yung pagsasalita ng mga ibang bansa, lalo na ‘yung hindi talaga nandito sa ating lugar, kumikilala doon sa bigat ng problema na problema ng lahat,” Aquino said.
Moreover, Aquino said that he will once again push for the crafting of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia later this month.
Recent satellite images showed an airstrip suitable for military use being built by China on reclaimed parts of Kagitingan Reef in the disputed Spratly archipelago.
Beijing is also reportedly undertaking reclamation work on Subu Reef in the Spratlys, creating landmasses that, if joined together, could create space for another 3,000-meter (3,281-yard) airstrip.
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