'Remember the treaty was made in 1951, and several things have already transpired,' says Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr
"The geopolitics and security dynamics within the Indo-Pacific region
where both our 2 countries are geographically located are evolving so fast, we
need to work clearer, more to cope up with these challenges, otherwise our past
efforts and sacriffies in ensuring peace and stability for the past several
decades will lose their meaning and significance," said DND Undersecretary
for National Defense Cardozo Luna.
He added: "This is the best time for us, the Filipino and American
peoples to stay together and work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, to review
our commitment for peace and prosperity in the region."
Luna read the prepared speech during the opening ceremony of the 2019
Balikatan joint exercises, an important annual event for the two
countries to reinforce their alliance.
Speaking to reporters after the opening program, AFP Chief of Staff
General Benjamin
Madrigal Jr said the review will focus on the
"semantics" of the 68-year-old agreement.
"We want to have clarifications on some contents because as we said ,
remember the treaty was made in 1951, and several things have already
transpired. For one, the definition of territory, we want to clarify,"
Madrigal said.
One of the new threats that have emerged since the signing of the treaty,
Madrigal noted, is transnational crime.
Despite the review, Undersecretary Luna stressed that the trust remains,
cemented by the recent return of the historic Balangiga
Bells, which US troops took as war trophies in the
Philippine-American war.
"Secretary Pompeo reassured the interested and curious Filipino
people America 's
persistent and enduring commitment to maintain peace and stability in the
region. And with such happy thoughts from our Filipino people and America's
continued assurance, which they are really longing to hear, this Balikatan 2019
is really a remarkable and historic one," Luna said.
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