Security council warns against fear-mongering
THE National Security Council said took “grave exception” to China’s use of over 150,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan to oppose additional Philippine military facilities that can be accessed by American armed forces through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)
In a statement issued on Saturday night, NSC spokesman Jonathan Malaya said EDCA sites are not meant for any action against any country, but to improve the capability of the Armed Forces to defend and protect the Philippine territory.
Malaya said the government “has no intention of interfering in the Taiwan issue and will not allow itself to be used by other countries to interfere in the said issue as claimed by the Chinese Ambassador in the Philippines in a forum in Manila.”
Last Friday during the 8th Manila Forum for China-Philippines Relations, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian advised the Philippines “unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers).”
Huang said the cause of the tension in the Taiwan Straits “is the Taiwan independence forces colluding with the US.” He asked why the EDCA sites are “only a stone’s away from Taiwan” and how the Philippines will control weapons to be prepositioned by US in these areas.
China claims Taiwan as its own.
Experts say the United States sees the Philippines as a potential location for rockets, missiles and artillery systems to counter a Chinese amphibious invasion of Taiwan.
Malacañang earlier this month identified four additional EDCA sites where the US can preposition troops and assets to respond to various threats. These are the Naval Base Camilo Osias and the Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Isabela, and Balabac Island in Palawan.
Sites earlier agreed on by the Philippines and the US under the 2014 EDCA are the Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.
OFWS SAFETY
“We observe the One-China Policy and subscribe to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) principle of non-interference in approaching regional issues,” said Malaya.
“Our primordial concern in Taiwan is the safety and well-being of the more than 150,000 Filipinos living and working on the island and we take grave exception to any effort by guests in our country to use this to fear-monger and intimidate us,” added Malaya.
Malaya said National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has been very clear about the government’s position that the enhanced security cooperation with US “is meant to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enable it to protect and defend the territory of the Philippines and is not meant to contain or counter any nation in the region or to interfere in another nation’s affairs.”
Malaya said the government is concerned mainly on “improving its defense capability, modernizing our equipment and assets, and developing our infrastructure.”
“These are the primary reasons why we are increasing our security cooperation with the United States under the 72-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between our two countries,” said Malaya.
Malaya said Año, in a meeting with Huang earlier last week, gave the assurance that the EDCA sites “are not meant for offensive operations against China or for interference in the Taiwan issue but instead are meant to protect the territorial integrity of the country.”
“He (Año) assured the Chinese ambassador that the Philippines is for the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue and for the continued stability of the region,” said Malaya.
NATIONAL INTEREST
Malaya said Año explained to Huang that the selection of the EDCA sites was made in accordance with the “Strategic Basing Plan” of the Armed Forces.
“The identified EDCA sites are Philippine bases which we want to further develop based on the requirements for strategic basing and development of the AFP. These were not US-dictated but identified by our armed forces,” he said.
Malaya said the development of these military facilities “will enable the government to further strengthen the AFP to enable it to defend and protect the country.”
“By developing our military and base infrastructure, we are pursuing our national interest and actually contributing to regional peace and stability,” said Malaya, adding the government hopes China “will see this as the country’s positive contribution towards peace and stability in the region.”
MEDDLING
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the Department of National Defense is taking exception to Huang’s statement that the government is meddling with the affairs of China with Taiwan.
“The Philippines observes the One China Policy and maintains the ASEAN principle of non-interference in approaching regional issues. We reiterate that our primordial concern in Taiwan is the safety and well-being of the Filipinos living and working on the island,” said Andolong.
Andolong said it is prudent on the part of the DND “to prepare for any contingencies to ensure the safety of Filipinos overseas, especially those based in Taiwan.”
Andolong said the implementation of EDCA “is not directed against any country.”
He said the EDCA implementation is “in line with our efforts to modernize our alliance and enable collective defense and peace, promote our national interest, protect our national sovereignty, ensure the livelihood and welfare of our fisherfolk and communities, and enhance our capability to respond to emergencies and disasters, as well as provide humanitarian assistance.”
“Thus, we reiterate our appeal to all concerned parties and states to adhere to the rule of law and diplomacy in managing differences. The Philippines shall continue to advocate for peace, mutual respect and endeavor to protect and uphold our national and global interests,” added Andolong.
‘RECALL ENVOY’
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday asked Malacañang to tell Beijing to recall Huang for his statements in relation to the situation in the Taiwan.
She said Huang’s statements “are truly disgraceful” considering that the Philippines has never interfered with the affairs of any country.
“How dare he threaten us. Our OFWs in Taiwan will continue to work where they work. End of story. Filipinos will thrive and make a living according to our wishes. We will never let Beijing decide on the future of Filipino families. Their destiny is not in China’s hands,” Hontiveros said.
“The Palace should tell Beijing to recall their representative in Manila as soon as possible.
He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner. He, along with his country’s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave,” she added.
Hontiveros said the Philippine will not in any manner meddle in the issue of Taiwanese independence which she said is “exclusively for the people of Taiwan to tackle.”
“We in the Philippines respect the right of the Taiwanese people to self-determination, and this right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China,” she said.
Hontiveros said it is not right for China to “drag” the Philippines regarding with its issues with the US.
“It is China who has been stoking tensions in the region, claiming territories that aren’t hers. It is China who continues to bully, harass, and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,” she added. — With Raymond Africa
