JV Ejercito asks nat’l gov’t to reject joint drill offer from China
August 08, 2023
Amidst worsening tensions in the West
Philippine Sea, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday said the national
government should decline China’s offer to hold joint military exercises with
the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Ejercito said this move could expose the
country’s military assets to China, which has been harassing Philippine Coast
Guard vessels and Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
“Parang in-expose na natin ang sarili natin sa
kanila. Kasi pag nag joint exercise, makikita nila yung mga gamit natin at ang
ating discipline. Kung wala yung West Philippine Sea issue, ok ‘yan,” he said
in an interview.
“Pero nakita naman natin yung ginawa nila sa
ating mga Coast Guard ships, grabe na itong pambabastos, ‘tas magooffer sila ng
joint military exercises? Parang tayong niloloko ng gobyerno ng Tsina,” he
added.
In late July, Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) Chief Romeo Brawner said he received an informal offer from Chinese
Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian about the possibility of organizing
joint military drills between the Philippines and China.
Brawner said the AFP is still studying the
proposal.
However, recent incidents of harassment by the
Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) have been driving a wedge between Beijing and Manila.
In yet another attack on Filipino seacraft,
CCG ships blocked and blasted water cannons at Philippine resupply ships en
route to Ayungin Shoal last Saturday.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation
from the Philippine government and the international community.
Ejercito said the Philippines would be better
off expanding its defense cooperation program with its allies.
“We cannot let this slip. This is too much
already! Nakakapikon na ang Tsina! Sobra na ang pambabastos ng Tsina sa ating
Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, at mga mangingisda. Teritoryo,
seguridad, at kapayapaan na ang nakataya rito!” he said in a statement on
Sunday.
