Navy ordered: Stay out
South China Sea drills can attract dispute
That has been the policy of the president. Under his independent foreign policy, we are friends with everyone. We do not have enemies
President Rodrigo Duterte prohibited the Philippine Navy from taking part in maritime exercises in the South China Sea to avoid international conflict.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the commander-in-chief’s order against participating in the United States-led military drills in the disputed waters is part of his independent foreign tack.
“That has been the policy of the president. Under his independent foreign policy, we are friends with everyone. We do not have enemies,” Roque said in a Malacañang briefing on Tuesday.
“What the president said was if there are actions by superpowers that would result in greater tensions, we have to avoid such actions.”
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed on Monday that Duterte instructed the Navy not to join naval exercises in the South China Sea. They are allowed only in Philippine waters.
The revelation came after the US intensified its surveillance efforts in the contested area as it departed from its neutral stance on disputes among Asian countries and described Beijing’s sweeping claims as “unlawful.”
The Chinese government called the accusation “unjustified.”
With 23 months left in his presidency, President Duterte has not changed his stance on the maritime dispute even as critics continue to pressure him to assert the country’s rights on the West Philippine Sea.
During his penultimate State of the Nation Address on 27 July, Duterte admitted he could not do much when it comes to the dispute, insisting that the Philippines cannot wage a war against China.
He also rejected the return of American military bases in Subic, saying it will put Filipinos in “extinction” in case a war breaks out.
China foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China’s territorial and maritime rights in the South China Sea have long been established in history.
“They are consistent with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and cannot be altered by the unwarranted allegations of any country,” Wang said.