MANILA, Philippines – Dinedma ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang babala ng China laban sa pagsasagawa ng Pilipinas ng naval drills kasama ang Estados Unidos at Japan sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“The strength of our collaborative efforts underscores a shared dedication to upholding the rules-based international order,” pahayag ni AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad.
“Pronouncements that deviate from established norms and lawful frameworks hold no weight against this unified stance,” dagdag niya.
Ipinunto ni Trinidad na isinasagawa ng AFP ang mga routine patrol at exercises sa loob ng exclusive economic zone ng Pilipinas at territorial waters nito batay sa United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ayon kay Trinidad, ang mga aktibidad na ito ay sovereign rights ng bansa at nag-aambag sa regional stability.
“Collaboration with allies and other like-minded nations is a matter of national policy, designed to enhance defense capabilities and maritime domain awareness, ensure freedom of navigation, and uphold regional security,” aniya.
Samantala, kinondena naman ni Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela ang China sa pagsasabing ang Pilipinas ay nagpapalala ng tensyon sa WPS.
Ani Tarriela, ang China ang umokupa sa Panganiban Reef noong 1995 at nagsabing gagawin lamang itong himpilan ng mga mangingisda ngunit kalaunan ay ginawa itong “heavily fortified military base, complete with defense capabilities, a naval base, and an airfield.”
Bukod dito, ginawa rin umano ng China ang Zamora Reef bilang isang artificial island na mayroong 3,000 meter runway at military infrastructure.
“So, the question arises: who is truly escalating the tension in the West Philippine Sea?” ani Tarriela.
“We must also consider their ongoing deployment of maritime forces in the area, their aggressive harassment of ordinary fishermen, and their bullying tactics against smaller PCG vessels,” dagdag niya.
Sa ulat ng South China Morning Post noong Sabado, nagbabala ang China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) – Southern Theatre Command laban sa joint drills ng Pilipinas, US at Japan sa WPS.
“We warn the Philippine side against provoking incidents and engaging in actions that heighten tensions in the South China Sea and seeking external support would prove futile,” pahayag ni PLA – Southern Theatre Command spokesperson Senior Colonel Tian Junli. RNT/JGC
