Ex-envoy: Philippines must have joint patrols with friendly nations

Former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia said Sunday the Philippines must have  joint sovereignty patrols with the US forces, and other friendly countries, as our military force is not enough to "confront" China.

"It would be more effective if we have joint patrols with US and other countries that have offered to assist the Philippines. We don't have military capability to confront China," Cuisia told GMA News Online.

Also, the Philippines must make a request to the United States in conducting joint patrols to defend country's territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels continue to occupy.

"China will be more careful if they see that we have joint patrols with the US. We have been suggesting this since 2015. If our country is not willing to make that request, of course, the US cannot do that," Cuisia said.

He noted that Philippine defense department must ask consent from the President before asking for joint patrols with US.

Moreover, he suggested that Japan and Australia may also help the Philippines when conducting military patrols in Philippine territorial waters.

Likewise, Cuisia raised the point that the joint military exercises between US and Philippines should be continued, which was limited during the pandemic.

In 2020, the United States-Philippine military exercises or "Balikatan" were suspended to prioritize government's efforts to avert the spread of COVID-19.

This year, the two nation's joint exercises pushed through but military drills were limited due to the prevailing health crisis.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo Duterte recently said the Philippines will not pull out its vessels from the West Philippine Sea, despite his well-expressed recognition of "debt of gratitude" from China over the donated vaccines. —LBG, GMA News