Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino acknowledged the dynamic alliance between the Philippines and the United States as he welcomed the port visit of the USS Blue Ridge, the command ship of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, at the Manila South Harbor on Thursday evening.
“I believe that this is a very timely and historic visit, not just a mere coincidence, because yesterday (Wednesday), we celebrated the birthday of the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal,” said the senator during the welcome ceremonies.
Also present at the social gathering were US Navy 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, Captain Nicholas DeLeo, and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.
Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, noted that the ideals that Rizal advocated, including justice, freedom, and cooperation, are also the same themes that have bound the dynamic relations between the Philippines and the United States for several decades.
“I think that the days ahead would be days of rough seas, challenges, and dark seas. But in the end, as what Dr. Rizal had envisioned — reason, resilience, freedom, and international order, as we call it today — would prevail,” said Tolentino.
Earlier, Tolentino called for the convening of the National Security Council (NSC) in order to advise the President on how to respond to China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Among the issues that the NSC could resolve, he said, is whether the violent attack undertaken by Chinese Coast Guard personnel on Filipino soldiers conducting humanitarian rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal on June 17 constituted an “armed attack” that could trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty.
Tolentino, as principal author and sponsor of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Senate Bill No. 2492), also recently provided financial aid to fishers’ groups in three coastal towns in Zambales province, where he also led town hall meetings called, “Talakayang WPS.” The meetings aimed to facilitate dialogue between fisherfolk and government representatives.
