The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Sunday mentioned permitting the United States to designate 4 new websites for the complete implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and restarting joint patrols within the South China Sea leaves the Philippines caught between the US and China ought to a conflict escape between the 2 powers.
CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena made the comment following the latest go to of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III to the Philippines, which Valbuena referred to as “part of the US government’s continuing strategy of preparing the war theater against China.”
“In doing so, Marcos is more and more allowing the Philippines to be used by the US as a launching pad for its provocations against China. He is practically allowing the imperialist US to drag the Philippines into a war against its own interest,” the CPP official mentioned in a press release.
Valbuena added that by permitting the US to make use of the nation as a base for its operations, Marcos was turning the Philippines right into a goal for China’s weapons, whether or not for aggression or counter-aggression.
Austin mentioned Thursday that he and Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. “agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea to help address (security) challenges.”
The Department of National Defense (DND) had additionally introduced a deal that gave US troops entry to 4 extra bases in strategic areas of the nation, with the intention of accelerating the complete implementation of the EDCA.
Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops entry to designated Philippine army amenities; the suitable to assemble amenities; and preposition gear, plane and vessels; however guidelines out everlasting basing.
The Philippine Constitution outlaws international army bases within the nation until coated by a treaty.
Valbuena mentioned that the Philippines, together with different international locations, ought to proceed to stop a possible conflict from breaking out between the US and China.
“The Filipino people, together with peoples of Asia and the world, must continue to demand a stop to imperialist war mongering and an end to war preparations especially by the US,” he said.
“They must demand the dismantling of all US military bases and call for the removal of US and other foreign military troops in the country, as well as the dismantling of Chinese military facilities within its maritime territory.”
GMA News Online reached out to Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs for touch upon the CPP’s assertion, however they’ve but to reply as of posting time.
For his half, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. reiterated that the endeavors they had been enterprise had been in step with Marcos’ international coverage of “being a friend to everyone and enemy to no one.”
“It is the DND’s mandate to secure and defend our sovereignty and sovereign rights, such as the freedom of our people to fish in our own waters,” Galvez said in a statement.
“We also share the vision of like-minded nations in ensuring freedom of navigation and a peaceful, stable and free Indopacific.”
The Philippine Defense Secretary added that, as a member of the worldwide group, the Philippines had a duty to guard the worldwide commons to be able to stop humanity from constricting itself by guaranteeing that important Sea Lines of Communications had been saved open.
We should additionally promote accountable stewardship over our marine sources, that are being threatened by overfishing and man-made ecological degradation,” mentioned Galvez. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
