Broader defense alliance needed to fend off Chinese bullying in the region, says JV Ejercito
April 12, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on
Wednesday said the Philippines and its allies must expand existing defense
cooperation programs to counter Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea and
West Philippine Sea.
Ejercito said the Philippine’s ongoing joint
military exercises with the United States, as well as recent talks on the
formation of a new defense pact with Japan, are crucial steps in achieving
regional stability amidst China’s growing military aggression.
“Japan, Australia, and the United States, as
well as countries that have territorial claims in the South China Sea have to
band together so that we can put up a respectable force against China’s
aggression,” he added.
“Because of China’s aggressive and hostile
activities in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea, it is important for
nations to have alliances and coordinate with each other’s armed forces and
coast guards to ensure that the freedom of navigation in the West Philippine
Sea and South China Sea area is maintained,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, a day after China ended its massive
military drills around Taiwan, the Philippines and the US launched the biggest
Balikatan exercise so far. More than 17,000 Filipino and American troops will
be participating in the joint drills.
The Balikatan joint military exercise was
created under the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual
Defense Treaty between the two countries.
Last week, Senators led by Senate President
Juan Miguel Zubiri met with Japanese lawmakers and security officials to
discuss proposals seeking to establish similar defense agreements between the
Philippines and Japan.
Joining Zubiri were Ejercito, Majority Floor
Leader Joel Villanueva, Deputy Majority Floor Leader Mark Villar, and Senators
Win Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Nancy
Binay.
