Joint exercises with China look murky amid territorial tensions — Brawner 

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of staff  Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. INQUIRER file photo / John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — China’s proposed joint military exercises and patrols with the Philippines are unlikely in view of the former’s dangerous tactics in the South China Sea, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of staff  Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Monday.

In July, China proposed joint military exercises with the Philippines, but details were not definite at the time.

READ: China proposes military drills with PH

“Well, sa tingin ko, mukhang malabo nang matuloy yung sinasabi nilang proposal nila na magkaroon ng joint exercises with us. Although existing parin yung ating memorandum of agreement, on defense cooperation, since 2004. Kaya nagpapadala tayo ng mga Filipino officers and enlisted personnel for schooling because of this memorandum of understanding,” Brawner said in an ambush interview at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

(Well, in my opinion, their said proposal to have joint exercises with us looks murky. Although it still exists since 2004, the memorandum of agreement on defense cooperation. That is why we send over a Filipino officers and enlisted personnel for schooling because of this memorandum of understanding.)

Earlier in August, senators learned that there were Filipino military officers that graduated from the Beijing Military Academy following the said agreement with China. Sen. Raffy Tulfo called the AFP’s program a slap to the face given the tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Tulfo: AFP execs’ China training a ‘slap in PH face’

Brawner also added that given China’s aggression in the South China Sea, they have stopped sending over these officers.

“Well, sa ngayon kasi dapat po talaga ay ihinto nila yung ginagawa nilang coercive and dangerous tactics, at yung pag tsa-challenge nila sa atin. Everytime we go there to the South China Sea to resupply our islands and our occupied features, like the Ayungin Shoal, ay parati nila tayong hinaharang,” said Brawner.

(Well for now, they should stop doing these coercive and dangerous tactics, and challenging us as well. Everytime we go there to the South China Sea to resupply our islands and our occupied features, like the Ayungin Shoal, they always block us.)

Any proposals from China could still be studied, Brawner said, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy of being a friend to all and enemy to none.

RELATED STORIES:

US, allies slam China for firing water cannons on PH vessels

Carpio: Don’t rush but prepare to confront China in UN

JPV