A satellite image from the DigitalGlobe Analysis Center of the Chinese aircraft carrier Varyag taken on December 8 during its second sea trial in the Yellow Sea, approximately 100 kilometers south-southeast of the port of Dalian. AFP/DigitalGlobe (www.digitalglobe.com)
MANILA, Philippines—China need not be alarmed or even take offense over the talks between Philippine and American officials on increased US military presence in the archipelago, a Malacañang official said.
Secretary Ricky Carandang, a communications aide to President Benigno Aquino, said the discussions between the Philippine officials and their US counterparts don’t involve any offensive posturing even in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea, which is how the Philippine government refers to the South China Sea.
Asked whether a new agreement covering expanded US presence in the Philippines would antagonize China, Carandang said, “Not necessarily.”
“We are merely taking steps to enhance our own security and all these initiatives are of a defensive nature and there is no effort being made to project any offensive capability,” Carandang said in a text message over the weekend.
Abigail Valte, another Aquino spokesperson, said in a radio interview that it was only the Philippines that the US was negotiating with regarding its presence in the Asia Pacific.
“We have many other neighbors that have the same negotiations like these when it comes to upgrading our defense facilities,” Valte said Saturday over government-run radio dzRB.
“We believe that it is perfectly understandable for a country to upgrade its defense capabilities especially in the case of the Philippines… where our capabilities have been lacking in the past few years, in the past decade or so,” she added.
In a news briefing on Friday, Carandang answered in the affirmative when asked whether keeping China off undisputed Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea was one of the motivations of the Philippines in talking with the US.
Carandang said it was possible that new armaments and more US personnel would be arriving in the country if the negotiations end in an agreement between the Philippines and the US.
Carandang, nonetheless, said the enhanced cooperation would only be seen in areas that are undisputed Philippine territory.
Asked if the US presence would include being visible in the disputed Spratlys—a territory claimed by the Philippines, China and a few other Asian countries—Carandang answered in the negative.
“I think what we’re really talking about is in Philipipne territory, undisputed Philippine territory,” Carandang said.
“We’ve never had Balikatan exercises in those disputed territories. It’s always been in areas that are indisputably within the Philippines,” he added.
Carandang wouldn’t say if the deal would be finalized when President Aquino meets with US President Barrack Obama in the middle of the year.
“But certainly, defense issues have been part of the discussions of an enhanced bilateral relationship. Senator (John) McCain, Senator (Joseph) Lieberman were here, defense issues were discussed,” Carandang said.
“And when the President goes to the United States, certainly again, defense issues will be discussed,” he added.