The Philippines is eyeing for a "collaborative
presence" when it announced that it is interested in having a joint-patrol
agreement with the US in contested portions of the South China Sea.
This was stressed by Defense spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul
Galvez in a message to the PNA.
"Context is that there is a need for more collaborative
presence in the South China Sea . Thus, in
addition to freedom of navigation operations of the US
The country's interest for a joint-patrol agreement was
discussed during the Philippine-US 2+2 ministerial meeting held in Washington D.C.
"The 2+2 meeting extensively discussed the South China
Sea issue, with the US side
reiterating the US ironclad
commitment to the defense of the Philippines
while the Philippines US
The Philippine Navy, which is now undergoing modernization,
is sorely lacking in ships capable of long-range patrols.
In the said meeting, the US
emphasized that it will not allow China
to control the South China Sea and will act to
ensure that freedom of navigation is respected.
It also stressed that they will continue to fly and sail
whenever and wherever international law allows.
The US
also committed to maintain its presence in the South China
Sea to include naval, sub-sea, air and special forces.
In addition, the US
urged the Philippines to
stay closely coordinated with respect to the developments in the South China Sea .
Noting China ’s
claim that it will not militarize the area, the US
suggested the need for parties in the South China Sea
to have a common and shared understanding of the term
"militarization" to avoid growing tensions.
A common sense among the other parties would put pressure on
China
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846834
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.