Ambassador Beaufils: UK to act as observers in Balikatan exercise

From GMA News Online (Mar 25, 2023): Ambassador Beaufils: UK to act as observers in Balikatan exercise (By JP SORIANO)

British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said the United Kingdom will act as observers in the joint military drills between the Philippines and the United States next month.

"This year, for the first time, [the UK] will be observers to Balikatan, which is starting on the 11th of April, as you know, so this is an area of growing cooperation, and [we] expect to see more,” Beaufils said in an interview with GMA Integrated News on Saturday.

This year's "Balikatan" or 'shoulder-to-shoulder' drills also come against the backdrop of what the Philippines calls "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

The drills, held from April 11 to 28, will see 17,600 participants from both sides, including around 12,000 from the United States, and "live fire exercises into the water" for the first time, according to Colonel Michael Logico, director of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' training center and spokesperson for the event on March 14.

In addition to their observer status in the Balikatan exercise, the UK's Royal Navy has planned other military engagements with the Philippines, such as possible joint patrol operations and passing exercises.

The UK Carrier Strike Group ship is also set to return to the Philippines in 2025 to participate in military exercises, though the details remain undisclosed for security reasons.

The UK has also sent a defense attaché to the Philippines, whose mission is to focus on building the British military's relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Beaufils said that the UK, along with other powerful countries such as the US, Japan, and Australia, supports the arbitral ruling that declared China's claims and actions in the West Philippine Sea illegal.

The recent incident of China's coast guard pointing lasers at the Philippine Coast Guard was not acceptable “as it contravened international law and UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Beaufils said.

Economic ties

The UK seeks to strengthen its economic ties with the Philippines as it embarks on engaging with the country in various sectors.

According to Beaufils, several British companies have made foreign direct investments in the Philippines in the past months.

The UK is expected to launch the Developing Country Trading Scheme, or DCTS, this year. The DCTS will benefit Philippine exporters to the UK since over 90% of products from the Philippines going to the UK will be duty-free.

This highlights the opportunities for the UK and the Philippines to strengthen economic relations in various sectors, including renewable energy, green infrastructure, and technology.

"You've got obviously agricultural products like mangoes and these things. So I think there's a lot to be explored for Philippine companies, and let us not forget that Philippine companies have invested in the UK,” Chris Nelson, executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (BCCP), said in a separate interview.

More UK companies are also expected to invest in the Philippines if the government eases its foreign investment regulations, he added.

"We wish to see those further removed and the economy liberalized... the Philippines is competing with other countries in Southeast Asia and therefore it's important to keep that momentum, so we very much welcome the opening up and the laws that have been passed,” Nelson said.

The National Economic and Development Authority recently released the implementing rules and regulations for the law amending the Public Service Act that allows full foreign ownership of businesses in select industries such as airports, railways, expressways, and telecommunications.

The BCCP also welcomed the Senate's ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), or the free trade agreement involving the ASEAN countries and its partners Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

“I think we can get a lot of benefits for both the Philippines and the UK, and obviously the UK will see that, and that gives us the opportunity to encourage more companies to come to the Philippines knowing that you are a member of RCEP,” Nelson said.

Coronation of King Charles III

Meanwhile, Beaufils shared that the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 is expected to be attended by leaders from around the world, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos among the invitees.

Beaufils expressed hope that they would attend but said that it was up to Malacañang to decide.

Tourists are expected to flock to London for the event, with hotels and attractions already fully booked.

For Filipinos who wish to watch the coronation, the British Embassy has announced that they will be hosting a live screening at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

"We will have a big screen, an event, and food booths," Beaufils said.

It will be the first crowning ceremony in the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. — with Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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