At least two senators have rejected the Chinese Embassy’s assertion that extra Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) websites within the nation might “seriously harm” the Philippines’ nationwide pursuits in addition to regional peace and stability.
“I think they are the ones who are very aggressive and hostile…They claim to be a friend to the Philippines, but what they are doing is contrary to what they are saying,” Senator JV Ejercito stated in an interview with reporters.
Ejercito, a member of the Senate overseas relations panel, cited the Chinese coast guard’s aggression in opposition to the Philippine Coast Guard for example of China’s hostility.
“If they want us to trust them, they have to respect our sovereignty, our territorial integrity. Sabi ng DFA more than 400 note verbale na, protest. What actions have they taken? Wala naman eh. Babasahin lang, tapos isasantabi na,” he stated.
Senator Francis Escudero, who can be a member of the overseas relations panel, indicated that China’s actions are already undermining the soundness within the area.
“Isn’t what China is doing [regarding] Taiwan and the West Philippine Sea also ‘undermining the stability of the region?’” Escudero stated in a textual content message.
“Bago nila pansinin ang dumi sa mata natin, dapat manalamin muna sila. We have every right, as with China and any sovereign nation, to pursue a foreign policy that serves our national interest and should not be cowed by such threats which I do not consider ‘friendly’ at all, and I thought they want to be our friends,” he added.
Last month the Philippines and the US agreed to designate 4 new websites in strategic areas of the nation with the intention of accelerating the complete implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the 2 nations.
Senate overseas relations chairperson Imee Marcos reiterated her concern over the attainable use of EDCA websites by the US in case battle arises within the Taiwan Strait.
“I think the more important question is, will the EDCA sites be used by the US to launch missiles, rockets or other attacks in case a conflict occurs in Taiwan? If these EDCA sites are used as staging areas for US military intervention in Taiwan, then we may be dragged into the so-called ‘Taiwan question,’” she stated.
Meanwhile, Senate nationwide protection committee chairperson Jinggoy Estrada stated China’s “misgivings” over the designation of 4 new EDCA websites are “inevitable” because of the rising stress between the Chinese authorities and the United States.
“We are not waging a war against China. In fact, China is our trade partner. It is in our best interest to preserve and safeguard peace, and promote stability and security with the help of our neighbors in Southeast Asia. Any confrontation between two major powers could be devastating for the world economy. We remain committed to keeping peace and prosperity in the region,” he stated.
The Chinese Embassy on Sunday said that the United States is dragging the Philippines into its points with China by establishing extra army websites within the nation.
In a GMA Integrated News interview, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson stated she didn’t imagine that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) websites would function a “magnet” for Chinese “aggressive behavior.” — BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
