US ‘Yolanda’ response unlikely to stir dispute with China — Angara

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 2): US ‘Yolanda’ response unlikely to stir dispute with China — Angara

The increased presence of American troops as part of the humanitarian aid of the United States government in the rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon-devastated areas would not suffice to stir a renewed tension with China, former Sen Edgardo Angara yesterday said.

“I think it’s a welcome event (the presence of US troops in the country) because in this instance on typhoon “Yolanda,” they showed that they’re a dependable and reliable ally in terms of humanitarian aid,” he told dzBB radio in an interview.

While Japan, another Philippine ally which is also engaged in a territorial dispute with China, Angara said Tokyo has ample defense forces which it can easily mobilize if the need arises although its laws prohibit it from engaging in war or any armed conflict with other countries.

“We only have fourth-hand warships acquired from the US. So we’re really lacking in that aspect, logistics. Our defense really is to depend on our allies in issues such as territorial conflict.

“So it’s important to have the backing of the US government and its military defense that has been responsible in restoring peace for the past four decades in the Pacific region. The reason the Asia-Pacific region prospered was because of the umbrella of security and peace courtesy of the US government, so that’s needed especially now that the Philippines is becoming an economic power. We need security and peace to achieve that,” he said.

Angara admitted that the Philippines has no capability to wage war.

“What we only want is for our rights to be respected or follow what the law says, the rule of law, that should also be done in our international relations.”

Even the Japanese and South Korean governments are also relying on the power and projection of the US government as part of their leverage in waging war with other countries.

But despite the unresolved issues with China over territorial claims, Angara dismissed the possibility of the matter resulting to armed fight with the Chinese government.

“In this time and circumstance I don’t think that will happen because unlike in the past when there’s no restraining hand such as the United Nations (UN), there’s no interlocking trade and investment interests for each country. That’s what can prevent the eruption of war, the interlocking interests and UN international mechanism,” he said.

Angara has organized a roundtable discussion on the maritime disputes in Southeast Asia through his Angara Center for Law and Economics slated this month.

While he will be delivering the keynote speech, a number of resource speakers have been invited and one of them, Shen Dingli of Fudan University in Shanghai who expressed belief that it’s still not too late to work out some compromise among all claimants, China included.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/us-yolanda-response-unlikely-to-stir-dispute-with-china-angara