Trillanes accuses Duterte of being China’s lapdog amid sea dispute

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday blamed President Rodrigo Duterte for the installation of Chinese missiles in reefs that are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

Trillanes, in a statement, called on the United States to conduct more freedom of navigation patrols in the disputed waters.

"We, as a nation, should be alarmed by China's militarization of the WPS. However, Duterte continues to invite China in by being its lapdog," Trillanes said.

"Militarily, in the short term, we should fast track the implementation of the EDCA, and encourage freedom of navigation patrols by the US and other allies," he added.

Trillanes said the country should strengthen its alliances with the US, Japan, Australia and its fellow member-states in the ASEAN.

The Duterte administration has since the start warmed up to China, even setting aside the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration favoring the Philippines and invalidating the Asian power's excessive claims in the South China Sea.

Duterte in recent bilateral talks with Vietnam said that the country was not abandoning the gains brought about by the ruling.

"In the medium term, we should strengthen our security alliances with the US, Japan, Australia and the ASEAN; and continue our AFP modernization," Trillanes said.

"Diplomatically, we should reassert our victory in the Arbitral tribunal.  We should also initiate a regional security summit to raise international awareness on the WPS situation," he added.

China has reportedly put up missile installations in the Fiert Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines in the South China Sea. —NB, GMA News