Malacañang said Friday it sees “nothing objectionable” in China’s suggestion to exclude non-members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as the United States, in conducting military exercises and energy exploration in the West Philippine Sea.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said although there is a “manifestation of intent” as far as China is concerned, the country’s defense authorities will keep an eye on the matter.
“I’m sure defense authorities will study the matter seriously. We find nothing objectionable to the fact that China would want to exclude non-Asians from the military exercise,” said Roque in a press briefing in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, adding that maybe the Chinese authorities would want to strengthen military cooperation amongst its neighbors.
However, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros described the plan by the Department of Foreign Affairs to conduct a joint exploration of natural resources with China in the West Philippine Sea as “preposterous and treacherous.”
“It reverses our historic victory at The Hague and signs away Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.
The DFA’s plan, Hontiveros said, is absurd as it recognizes China’s claim and ownership over the West Philippine Sea and nullifies the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“Is this the result of the DFA’s so-called 50-100 diplomatic actions against China? Is this what President Duterte calls an independent foreign policy?” she asked.
Roque said it would be unusual for the US to enter the suggested war games and energy exploration when the purpose is solely to create a firmer relationship among the 10 Asean countries.
“Of course, the United States is 10,000 miles away. So, if the intention is to build stronger relations between military forces who are neighbors, then the United States will be really out of place,” he said.
The DFA earlier announced that it recommended a 60-40 ratio in a proposed joint exploration of the country’s sovereign waters with China amid oppositions from several leaders.
In response, Roque said the ratio agrees with a specific Constitutional provision.
“We are following the specific provision in the Constitution that foreigners can participate on a 60-40 basis, meaning 60 percent Filipino and 40 percent foreign-owned,” he explained.