ROILO GOLEZ, Philippine National Security Adviser (2001-2004). The world and the Philippines as Roilo Golez sees it. With focus on national security, geopolitics, geo-security, economics, science and government.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Golez: This visit by Philippine cabinet members led by the Defense Secretary to the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson now patrolling the South China Sea is an eloquent reminder that there is an age old Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US.
Golez: This visit by Philippine cabinet members led by the Defense Secretary to the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson now patrolling the South China Sea is an eloquent reminder that there is an age old Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US. The Philippine leaders should never forget that China remains the big external threat because it continues to claim around 90% of our one million square kilometer West Philippine Sea in violation of UNCLOS. The Philippine constitution mandates that the State must protect our Exclusive Economic Zone. That is mandatory and not an option. I quote from the article:
"Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accompanied U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson
"The aircraft carrier is the flagship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Carrier Strike Group 1.
"The Philippine officials also met with Rear Admiral James Kilby, commander of Carrier Strike Group 1 and discussed the importance of free access to international waters for all nations.
"Lorenzana meanwhile said the U.S. was within its rights to undertake 'freedom of navigation patrols.'"
WATCH: PH Cabinet secretaries visit US aircraft carrier
Despite the tough rhetoric often directed by President Rodrigo Duterte against the United States, members of the Duterte administration were invited to visit one of the U.S. Navy's biggest ships currently patrolling the South China Sea.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accompanied U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson
The aircraft carrier is the flagship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Carrier Strike Group 1.
The Philippine officials also met with Rear Admiral James Kilby, commander of Carrier Strike Group 1 and discussed the importance of free access to international waters for all nations.
Ambassador Kim said the U.S. naval patrols in the South China Sea were not a 'show of force' but 'routine carrier operations.'
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