MANILA, Philippines- Nananatiling Philippine operations lamang ang ‘rotation and resupply (RoRE) missions’ sa kabila ng opsyon ng Estados Unidos na tulungan ang Pilipinas sa hindi pagkakasundo sa China sa usapin ng West Philippines Sea (WPS).
“As far as the RORE is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely PH operation utilizing PH ships, personnel and leadership,” ayon kay National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Malaya na maaari itong magbago depende sa magiging atas mula sa “top management.”
“That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present,” aniya pa rin.
Ang pahayag na ito ni Malaya ay tugon sa tanong sa kanya kung batid ng Pilipinas ang opsyon ng Estados Unidos na tulungan ang bansa sa gitna ng tensyon sa WPS at kung nag-demand ito sa Estados Unidos ng suporta.
“As far as current policy is concerned, the US as a treaty ally is assisting us in training our armed forces so we do joint exercises frequently,” wika ng opisyal.
“They are also helping us in our armed forces modernization and infrastructure development in select facilities through the EDCA,” dagdag na pahayag ni Malaya.
Kamakailan lamang, hiniling ng dalawang US senator kay US President Joe Biden na magbigay ng kumpletong listahan ng mga opsyon na dinebelop (develop) ng Pentagon at US State Department para tulungan at suportahan ang Pilipinas sa nagpapatuloy na alitan sa China sa Ayungin Shoal.
“We must respond with visible and concrete demonstrations of our support. Anything short of this risks our appearing unwilling to honor our bilateral commitments,” ang nakasaad sa liham ng dalawang senador na sina Senator Roger Wicker at Jim Risch kay Biden na may petsang Hulyo 12.
Sina Wicker at Risch ay ang ‘highest ranking Republicans’ sa Senate Armed Services Committee at Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“We request your administration provide us with a full list of military, diplomatic, and economic options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and deter further escalation by the PRC [People’s Republic of China],” ang nakasaad sa liham.
Si Malaya, isa ring tagapagsalita para sa National Task Force WPS, nagpahayag ng kagalakan para sa interes ng dalawang US senators sa usapin.
“We appreciate the interest of Senators Roger Wicker and Jim Risch to support the Philippines in our efforts to deter escalation and maintain peace and security in the region,” giit ni Malaya.
“This, to our mind, is proof of the US’ iron-clad commitment to the Philippines and the strength of the US-PH alliance,” dagdag niya. Kris Jose
