Support for PH assured
Obama affirms ‘rock solid commitment’ to protect PH
United States President Barack Obama has called for an immediate halt to China’s massive reclamation works in the disputed South China Sea as he affirmed the US’ “rock solid commitment” to defend and protect the Philippines amid a territorial row.
The US government has donated two vessels to the Philippine Navy – the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Boutwell and the research vessel R/V Melville – that form part of the US’ larger plan to increase maritime security assistance to its allies, seeing that “more capable navies and partnership with the United States are critical for the security of this region.”
This maritime assistance to the Philippines is largely focused on building the training and logistical base for expanding the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Forces’ ability to conduct operations within waters “off the Philippines’ coasts.”
In his remarks after meeting President Aquino, Obama pushed for a peaceful and rules-based resolution of the maritime dispute, citing the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
Aquino and Obama held a closeddoor bilateral meeting on various issues, including US increased maritime security assistance to its “valuable and trusted” ally, prior to the opening of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila.
“We discussed the impact of China’s reclamation and construction activities on regional stability. We agreed on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction, and militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea,” Obama said in a joint press conference with Aquino at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.
Peaceful solution “As President Aquino indicated, disputes need to be resolved peacefully, that’s why the United States support the Philippines’ decision to use arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to peacefully and lawfully address differences,” he added.
The US leader also promised to increase maritime security aid to the Philippines “to record levels” in line with an enhanced defense cooperation agreement (EDCA) between the two countries.
“As a treaty ally, we have a rock solid commitment to the defense of the Philippines,” Obama said, calling Aquino a “valuable and trusted friend of the United States.”
“The Philippines and the United States are great allies so this is an occasion of me to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security and defense of the Philippines. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder: ‘balikatan,’” he added.
As part of the US goal, Obama said they would continue “to help our treaty partners build up capacity, to make sure that the architecture of both defense work, but also humanitarian work, and other important activities in the region are coordinated more effectively.”
Obama had earlier announced the US would provide two new vessels to the Philippine Navy to boost its maritime security capabilities.
On EDCA pending review by the Supreme Court (SC), Obama recognized that the Philippines would go through its process in the court review but expressed confidence that “it is going to get done.”
“Our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement when implemented will bring our militaries even closer together, and we are especially committed to ensuring maritime security in the region, including freedom of navigation,” Obama said.
Freedom of navigation President Aquino, for his part, maintained that international law must remain the framework for the conduct of parties as well as for the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“I take this opportunity to reiterate the Philippines’ view that the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea must be continuously upheld, consistent with international law” Aquino said.
As treaty allies, the President also expressed gratitude to the US government for its continued military assistance to the Philippines, particularly through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF).
“We recognize, with the deepest appreciation, the significant contribution to our efforts by the United States – contributions that help us ensure that we can ably respond to current security challenges, particularly in the area of maritime security and maritime domain awareness,” Aquino said.
Aquino noted that National Coast Watch Center (NCWC), completed early this year, was constructed with significant assistance from the United States. “This project was first discussed during my visit to Washington DC in 2012, and our administration is pleased to see it come to fruition this year,” he said.
Aquino said he and Obama discussed other avenues of cooperation such as the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA), which will enforce measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) from or within the Philippines.
“We look forward to its implementation upon the completion of domestic procedures,” added the Philippine leader.
Cyber security
Aquino and Obama also swapped ideas on cyber security threats and vowed to explore cooperation in this area to keep “peace and order” in cyberspace. “This area of collaboration with the United States can impact positively on the capacity of the Philippine Government to effectively and swiftly respond to cybersecurity threats and challenges,” he added.
Another topic discussed by the two leaders is climate change and their attendance to the upcoming UN summit in Paris, France.
Obama said he appreciates the contribution that President Aquino has made in climate talks over the last year. “The Philippines has recognized the importance of a global agreement for the future of this country and the world and we look forward to a successful outcome in Paris,” he said.
Aquino said both the Philippines and the US look forward to the fruitful discussions at the COP21 in Paris, which will start later this month.
“As a country highly vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, the Philippines underscores the importance of all countries contributing to the global effort to address the problem of climate change for the benefit of future generations,” he said.
Two ships for PH
The Philippines will be getting the two US ship soon, a White House statement said.
Boutwell is a Hamilton-class weather high endurance cutter (WHEC) like Philippine Navy (PN) flagship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF 15) that U.S. President Barack Obama visited hours after he arrived in the country Tuesday.
Boutwell will be the third ship of its class that the US have provided the Philippine Navy since 2011, the first two being Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16).
“This (Boutwell) will provide the Philippines the ability to maintain greater maritime presence and patrols throughout its EEZ,” according to the White House statement.
“We are also in the process of transferring the research vessel R/V Melville to support naval research and law enforcement capabilities,” it added.
The transfer of the two ships was announced by Obama in a brief press conference after touring Del Pilar, but he did not identify the vessels.
Navy spokesman Edgard A. Arevalo said they are looking forward to the delivery of the two vessels, saying this would further beef up the military’s maritime patrol operations.
However, Arevalo said the donation of the two vessels would have to go through processes similar to the turnover of Del Pilar and Alcaraz that were acquired from the US under the provisions of Excess Defense Article (EDA).
“We are aware that the grant will entail a process before the vessels are actually transferred to the Navy. But the would-be additional Weather High Endurance Cutter will certainly bolster the PN’s capability for sustained maritime patrol, and as an additional platform for counter-terrorism operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response,” Arevalo added.
“The research vessel, on the other hand, will enhance our capability to conduct hydrographic survey and search for sunken vessel or aircraft,” he further stated.