Palace open to US intervention in South China Sea

UNITED States (US) intervention in the longstanding South China Sea disputes is welcome as long as it will promote peace, Malacañang said on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement several days after President Rodrigo Duterte advised the US government to avoid interfering in ongoing efforts to resolve the maritime row.

“The Philippines would want stability in this part of the world, in

that part of the world. The Philippines position is that every country has the right to use the waters in the South China Sea, as well as the air space and we want peace and quiet in that area,” he told Palace reporters.

“So anything that will provide such kind of atmosphere, we are for it. If the presence of the US will make it so, then that’s good for all of us, all of the claimants,” he added.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea. Parts of the waterway have also been claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

On May 31, the US reportedly announced its plan to sell 34 surveillance drones for a total of $47 million to its allies bordering the South China Sea, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The sale of 34 Scaneagle drones, which will give the four nations greater intelligence gathering capabilities, is meant to curb China’s growing militarization of the South China Sea.

However, Duterte also said on May 31 that it would be better for the US to distance itself from the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.

Panelo, for his part, said the Philippines would be amenable to any country’s initiatives that can ease tension in the contested waters.

“We desire peace and quiet in that area no matter upon whose initiative coming from any country,” Panelo said.

“Ang (THE)US, you cannot also impose on them kung ano gagawin nila (what they should do). Nasa sa kanila na ‘yon (It’s up to them). That would be left to their judgment,” he added./sunstar Philippines