‘Nothing wrong with asking U.S. help’
The military pact allows the two countries to jointly develop their security capabilities should one is faced with external threats
Malacañang will not interfere should the Department of National Defense (DND) ask the United States to help keep watch over the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, there should be no problem if the DND decides to take this route as both countries are bound by a treaty.
“There is nothing wrong with that. As far as I know we are already taking steps to have our own satellite resources. But while there’s still none, that’s part of the treaty. There’s a treaty between America and the Philippines,” the Palace official said in a radio interview, referring to the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty signed by Manila and Washington, D.C.
The military pact allows the two countries to jointly develop their security capabilities should one is faced with external threats.
Panelo made the remark in reaction to Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana’s recent admission that the Philippines’ security forces are still inadequately equipped to monitor foreign vessels sailing near or entering territorial waters unlike the US.
One example is the reported presence of Chinese survey ships sailing unannounced into the country’s EEZ, particularly at Sibuto Strait, recently. Lorenzana questioned why the ships were operating in Philippine waters last week and asserted that he would recommend to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the filing of a diplomatic protest.
Panelo noted the government would not express concern over the incident had the Chinese survey vessels sought permission beforehand.
“If we really are friends, it’s a matter of courtesy between two friendly countries to give way. If there is a need to give permission, then you should have given a heads up that you would be passing through a place you don’t own,” stated the spokesman.
“But the problem is, they would insist that it’s theirs. You see the point? It’s hard to talk about something where you’re asserting your right and the other party is claiming the same. So, really the best way to solve it is for us to talk about it as friends,” he concluded.