The United Nations Security Council Meeting on September 23, 2016 | PDM File Photo
The recent passage of a US Congress House Resolution clearly reinforces the longstanding friendship, mutual commitment to security, and economic partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
House Resolution 837 was co-sponsored by our friends from both sides of the aisle – Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia and Republican Congressman James Moylan of Guam, who are both co-chairs of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus – and it reaffirms the United States “unwavering commitment” to invoke the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty if there is an armed attack in the South China Sea against Philippine assets, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard.
The bipartisan resolution also calls on the Philippines and the US to “begin joint patrols in the South China Sea” and also expresses firm objection to China’s “false sovereignty claims.” The resolution further stated that it welcomes the swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and “foster a free and open Indo-Pacific for all.”
“As the only currently serving member of Congress with Filipino ancestry, and as co-chair of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to see our bipartisan resolution passed by the House,” Congressman Scott said, stressing that the resolution reaffirms the important partnership between the two nations and makes it clear that the US “will stand firmly” with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Through the passage of the resolution, the US House of Representatives has “sent a clear message to our friends in the Philippines: we will protect you,” said Congressman Moylan, who called out China for continuing to “harass citizens of the Philippines through various means, including pressurized water cannons, ship ramming and maritime militias.”
For its part, the Philippines will continue to strengthen and upgrade its defense capabilities. To this end, our military modernization program is in full swing, with help from our friends and partners. Japan plans to provide coastal surveillance radar to enhance the Philippines’ maritime security capabilities through its Official Security Assistance program.
The Philippine Coast Guard is also set to acquire 40 fast patrol craft (FPC) funded through official development assistance from France. Twenty of these vessels will be built locally, and the first vessel is expected to be delivered by early 2026. These FPCs would boost the PCG’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, environmental protection, disaster response, addressing illegal activities, and maintaining our maritime sovereignty.
The United States Congress recently approved $540 million of long-term military financing for the Philippines. This amount is just the initial tranche as we continue to work on additional funding. But as promised by our Congress, we intend to put up our funds as President Marcos promised. Clearly, we cannot be purely dependent on our allies for our military modernization program.
Our legislators have assured support through budget allocations and legislation, recognizing the critical importance of the AFP modernization program in boosting our country’s defense and security capabilities and asserting our sovereignty.
It is a mistake for some nations to think that might make them right. In the end, it is right that will make might—when more and more nations join the call for what is clearly right.”
We also had productive discussions with the House of Representatives Deputy Speakers Tonypet Albano and Raymond Democrito Mendoza, who were in Washington, DC, for the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF), where international parliamentarians and officials from over 100 countries hold discussions and listen to experts on topics that include counter-terrorism financing, cybersecurity, predatory foreign investments, and other relevant issues.
In my remarks during the forum held at the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, I focused on the Indo-Pacific, where discussions on many issues and flashpoints greatly benefit everyone.
While the first forum in 2014 focused on terrorism and unconventional warfare, the scope has broadened since then with the realization that all security threats are interrelated and intertwined. The international security sphere has undergone seismic shifts in the last decade. As I told PI-SF chairman Robert Pittenger, parliamentary cooperation will be key in addressing challenges, so we look forward to hosting the next PI-SF in Manila next year.
For the Philippines, one security issue that has been at the forefront of mind at all levels is the South China Sea. From the President down to our fisherfolk, Filipinos are acutely aware of the dire implications should rising tensions continue unchecked in this most important waterway.
During my interview with Larry Luxner for his article titled “Xi’s aggression in South China Sea solidifies US-Philippine relations” published by The Washington Diplomat, I categorically stated that China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea based on its “nine-dash line” – which is now “10-dash line” – is “totally unacceptable,” reiterating that the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling favoring the Philippines is the basis of our claim.
I am confident that even with the incoming Trump administration, more like-minded nations will continue to express support for the Philippines in our efforts to defend the rules-based international order in the maritime sphere, specifically in the South China Sea. Our position is firmly anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
While we will keep pursuing preventive diplomacy and dialogue, keeping communication channels open, our policy will remain in exposing the dangerous maneuvers, aggression, and harassment by the China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
It is a mistake for some nations to think that might make them right. In the end, it is right that will make might—when more and more nations join the call for what is clearly right.
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