United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Wednesday mentioned the US dedication to assist the Philippines is just not about every other nation because the ties between them “stands on its own.”
In a tv interview, Carlson was requested for her ideas about China’s earlier assertion that the elevated presence of the US within the Philippines by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) websites have an effect on regional stability.
“The Mutual Defense Treaty dates back to 1951. Our commitment to the Philippines stands on its own. Our relationship stands on its own, it’s not about in a third country, it’s not about a single challenge. But we certainly have global challenges when it comes to climate change, when it comes to cybersecurity, when it comes to environmental degradation of our surrounding seas and climate,” Carlson instructed ANC.
“There’s so much that we’re working together. It’s not about China. It certainly is not about China alone, it’s about what we do together… It dates back decades. I understand that that argument is out there but that’s not why we’re committed to the Philippines,” she added.
Further, Carlson mentioned the “EDCA sites can be used for whatever the Philippine government invites the United States to do.”
“These are not our sites. We do not have any rights to these sites. It’s not as if somehow somebody snaps a finger and all of a sudden everything is open to the United States,” Carlson mentioned.
She additionally admitted that the Indo-Pacific area is a important regional commerce around the globe as 90% of commerce goes throughout the excessive seas.
“A large percentage of that passes through the West Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, to these key straits in this region. So economic security is national security. So making sure that we guarantee prosperity for our people, means we have to have open sea lines of communication,” Carlson mentioned.
Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. already mentioned the extra websites beneath the nation’s EDCA with the US wouldn’t be used for offensive actions.
The new EDCA websites would be the Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
While on his technique to Washington early this month for an official go to, the President additionally mentioned the Philippines wouldn’t be used as a staging submit for any sort of navy motion. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
