Sen. Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Another senator is calling for broader defense alliance among nations to counter China’s continued aggressions in the disputed South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.
In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito underscored the need for the Philippines and its allies to expand their existing defense cooperation programs “to counter Chinese encroachment” in the disputed waters.
“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,” Ejercito said.
“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,” the senator added.
Ejercito then cited the Philippines’ ongoing military exercises with the United States and the possibility of having a new defense pact with Japan as “crucial steps in achieving regional stability amidst China’s growing military aggression.”
More than 17,000 Filipino and American troops are participating in the largest-ever military exercises between the Philippines and the US, which opened on Tuesday.
Senators led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, met with Japanese lawmakers and security officials last week to discuss proposals seeking to establish similar defense agreements between the two countries.
Several lawmakers have been urging nations to unite against China’s aggressive behaviour in order to preserve stability and uphold peace in the region.
This is not the first time that a call to unite was made against China’s aggressive behavior.
Though just this Wednesday, a joint statement from the US and the Philippines revealed their plans “to conduct multilateral maritime activities with other like-minded partners in the South China Sea later this year.”