Philippines needs US presence in Asia amid China activity -Locsin

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday said a strong US military presence in Asia is beneficial to the Philippines as China continues to assert control over the disputed South China Sea.

“Yes, we need the US presence in Asia. It benefits the Philippine interests that we have a US presence in the region,” Locsin told ANC News in an interview.

Amid China’s aggressive actions in the resource-rich waters, Locsin said America’s presence is within the Philippines’ national interest.

Manila this month lodged a diplomatic protest against China for confiscating fishing equipment set up by Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal - a rich fishing ground off the South China Sea that is both claimed by the two states. 

Manila accused China of illegally seizing the devices, known locally as “payaos,” in May.

Scarborough Shoal fell under China’s control after a tense standoff with the Philippines in 2012. This prompted Manila to file an arbitration case to invalidate China’s massive claim over the South China Sea, where other governments, like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.  

Although the Netherlands-based court ruled heavily in favor of the Philippines in July 2016, it stated that no country can claim sovereign rights over Scarborough, saying it is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen.

China refused to recognize the ruling and insisted the shoal is within its territory. Scarborough is 472 nautical miles from China’s nearest coastal province of Hainan and 124 nautical miles off the nearest Philippine landmass of Palawan.

But while the Philippines affirm its strong military partnership with the US, a long-time treaty ally, Locsin noted that economic prospects being offered by China to the Philippines are welcome.

“Even while affirming the necessity of American military presence in the region and hopefully, its growing economic presence—I’ve also said that I will not turn against economic opportunities offered by China. Opportunities that, in fact, offer the most prospect for mutual progress. That’s a fact. It’s a growing economy,” he said.

But on the military aspect, Locsin said the Philippines need the US because the country’s whole defense posture is anchored on the Mutual Defense Treaty.

“Until something happens that is beyond incursion that, in fact, is an attack on say, a Philippine vessel—a naval vessel— in which case, then I call up Washington DC,” Locsin said.

“If they cross that line and enter what is known as the metropolitan territory of the Philippines, then it triggers the Mutual Defense Treaty. I need that, we need that. But not under all conditions.”

The Foreign Affairs Chief was referring to a part of the 1951 accord that binds America to defend its Asian ally from aggression.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month backed Southeast Asian nations locked in territorial disputes with China, saying it will not allow the Asian superpower to rule and control the South China Sea.

In response, China told the US to stop meddling and avoid stoking tensions in the region. -NB, GMA News