Philippines not alarmed by US-China military engagement

From Ang Malaya (Jun 17): Philippines not alarmed by US-China military engagement

The Office of the President said the Philippine government is not affected by the recently signed China-United States Army-to-Army Dialogue Mechanism and possible future joint exercises. “We have our own interests. We have our own strategic interests,” Presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said.

“The US has its own strategic interests as well,” he added. “Will it be better for us? We’d hope that whatever interests that they have will be also in sync with our interests.”

The Presidential spokesman added that US, with its government officials, already expressed concern over China’s behavior in West Philippine Sea.

Last week, Vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission General Fan Chonglong and US Army Chief-of-Staff General Raymond Odierno witnessed the signing of China-US Army-to-Army Dialogue Mechanism at the National Defense University in Washington DC.

The said mechanism will open a new channel for leaders in the two armies “to raise and discuss issues of mutual concern such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response practices,” according to the Pentagon.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/06/17/11499-philippines-not-alarmed-by-us-china-military-engagement