Manila [Phillipines], February 14: On the evening of February 12, Nikkei Asia newspaper published an exclusive interview with Mr. Marcos Jr - who became President of the Philippines
Emphasizing Taiwan-related interests
The interview was conducted on the same day of February 12 - this is also the day President Marcos Jr. left Japan after visiting the country for 5 days.
Featured in the interview with President Marcos Jr. Taiwan problem. Specifically, Nikkei Asia quoted him as saying: "Considering the situation in the region, especially the tension in the Taiwan Strait, we can see that, just considering the geographical position of the Philippines, it is enough. It is difficult to imagine a situation where the Philippines would not be implicated if conflict broke out in the Taiwan Strait." "We will be dragged into the conflict because of whoever, whoever acts," he said.
The owner of the Malacañan Palace affirmed that the foreign policy of the Philippines is committed to peace and is oriented to national interests. "So we have to see what is good for the Philippines," he said.
Do everything to "protect sovereignty"
Last week, while visiting Japan , President Marcos Jr. and host Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed a military agreement that would give Japanese troops greater access to Philippine territory. Not stopping there, responding to Nikkei Asia, the owner of the Malacañan Palace admitted: "An agreement on the visiting force is certainly being studied and there is already a proposal for certain areas." From April 2022, Tokyo and Manila agreed to review frameworks for signing the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and the Mutual Acquisition and Service Agreement (ACSA). These are important agreements in enhancing bilateral military cooperation, making it easier for the two sides' forces to access each other's facilities as well as share logistical resources.
In addition, on February 2, the US and the Philippines announced an agreement that allows US troops to use four more military bases in the Philippines. This is an expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) announced by both sides. Washington also reassured Manila that the South China Sea was covered by the 1951 mutual defense treaty and that any armed attack on Philippine ships or aircraft would prompt Washington to respond. pay.
Manila's moves come after President Marcos Jr. In January, he visited Beijing and held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement, which stated: "exchange of profound and frank views on the situation in the South China Sea".
Meanwhile, regarding the East Sea issue, in an exclusive reply to Nikkei Asia on February 12, President Marcos Jr. affirmed that "protecting the territorial waters" of the Philippines in the South China Sea is central to efforts to strengthen security agreements with the US and Japan. He emphasized that the Philippines wants its fishermen to be able to fish in their traditional fishing grounds.
Talking about military deals with the US and Japan, the owner of the Malacañan Palace stated: "We don't want to be provocative, but... we feel that cooperation will help ensure safe navigation in South China Sea. And moreover, we are doing all we can to protect our maritime sovereignty."
Answering ThanhNien recently, Dr. Chester B. Cabalza (Chairman of the Organization for International Development Studies and Security Cooperation, Philippines) commented: "President Marcos Jr.'s visit to Japan is considered a visit to Japan. key in the context of tension in the first island chain including Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines ".
The first island chain is part of the strategy of three island chains built by the US to surround China and the Soviet Union. In particular, the first island chain begins in the Kuril/Chishim archipelago, ends in Borneo and the northern part of the Philippines.
In addition, Dr. Cabalza also pointed out: "The sites included in the additional EDCA are new, larger-scale strategic sites with advanced technology, identified in the northern region of Luzon Island, to strengthen integrated deterrence and interoperability in the event of war in the Taiwan Strait."
In fact, military cooperation with Japan and the US both helps the Philippines strengthen its military power and diversify its partners to avoid being seen as leaning towards the US in the competition between Washington and Beijing.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper