'Nothing objectionable' in China's decision to exclude US in planned war games —Palace

The Philippines sees "nothing objectionable" in China's decision to exclude the United States in the military exercises and energy exploration it proposed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"I'm sure defense authorities studied the matter seriously," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing in Bukidnon on Friday.

"We find nothing objectionable to the fact that China would want to exclude non-Asians from the military exercise."

Beijing's suggestions are part of efforts to expand its influence in the South China Sea, which it claims almost entirely, and push back at Washington which has backed countries with overlapping claims to the waters.

"That's a manifestation of intent as far as China is concerned," Roque said.

The Palace official said it would be odd to include the US if the intention of the war games and energy exploration is to create a tighter bond among the 10 ASEAN countries.

"The United States is 10,000 miles away. If the intention is to build stronger relations between military forces who are neighbors, then the United States would really be out of place," Roque said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced that it has proposed a 60-40 ratio in a proposed joint exploration of the Philippines' sovereign waters with China despite objections from several leaders.

Roque said the ratio presented is in accordance to a specific Constitutional provision stating that "foreigners can participate on a 60-40 basis; meaning 60 percent Filipino(-owned) and 40 percent foreign-owned." —KBK, GMA News