Lorenzana says Philippines must have balanced ties with US, China

The Philippines must have a balanced relationship with the United States and Asian Superpower China in order to protect the country's interest in the South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday. 

In a television interview, Lorenzana was asked if the presence of American troops in the resource-rich region is beneficial for the Philippines' interest. He said US forces could not always stay in the South China Sea. However, Chinese troops can and Filipinos have to deal with the Asian Superpower's presence. 

"Maybe, pag ka nandiyan 'yung mga Amerikano eh okay 'yun.  But they cannot always stay here in South China Sea. They have to come here from nearest bases in Guam and in Okinawa and have to leave. Tayong maiwan dito," Lorenzana said. 

"We have to balance our relationship with each of these superpowers to protect our interest. Hindi naman tayo puwedeng makipag-exercise diyan na kasama sila. First, wala naman tayong isasabak na mga equipment natin... Our frigates are not armed, mayroon pa tayong limited ships. So we cannot participate with them," he added. 

"Ang problema natin kung umalis sila, tayo maiwan dito. We are left here and we have to deal with the Chinese whether we like it or not. They are a close neighbor. They're always there, hindi naman aalis 'yan eh. So I think we have to manage our relationship with the Chinese," Lorenzana said. 

The Defense chief also said the Philippines has to "examine closely" the interests of each country in the South China Sea. 

"Ano ba ang interest ng US dito sa South China Sea? I think their main interest is the freedom of navigation via sea and by the air. According to them, they do not want the area to be declared by the Chinese as a territory and will have to ask permission to pass through," Lorenzana said. 

Still, Lorenzana said the Philippines should not meddle in the rivalry between the United States and China. 

"Nagtatapunan sila ng accusations. I don't think we should be involved in those kind of big power rivalry," Lorenzana said. 

Last month, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said "America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law." 

Pompeo had said Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are "completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them."

In response, China hit back at the US, claiming that the latter's accusation was "unjustified' and a "bid to sabotage regional peace."

Recently, Pompeo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. had discussions on the South China Sea issue as both countries reaffirmed their "strong" alliance amid China's increased military presence in the area. 

China claims a huge portion of the West Philippine Sea as part of its territory. However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated this claim on July 12, 2016.

Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling. —KG, GMA News