US slams unilateral destabilizing acts in Asia

MANILA, Philippines - The United States slammed yesterday “unilateral actions” in disputed territories as regional tension remained high over China’s declaration of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) above islands also claimed by Japan.

David Carden, US ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, reiterated that the United States does not take sides in maritime territorial disputes in the region. What the US wants, Carden reiterated in a meeting with a small group of journalists, is the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law and through existing processes.

Carden, however, emphasized, “Clearly, when unilateral actions are taken, which is already destabilizing, then that is not being a good partner.”

He welcomed China’s engagement with ASEAN in many aspects, but at the same time supported the Philippines’ move to take the dispute over the West Philippine Sea to international arbitration.

China has refused to participate in the United Nations arbitration process, which will be based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippines is seeking a definition of its maritime entitlements.

This developed as the new commander of troops securing the West Philippine Sea vowed yesterday to protect the country’s interests in the area, promote peace and development in Palawan, and secure the Malampaya energy projects.

Speaking at his assumption of command, Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda said the Palawan-based  Western Command (WESTCOM) serves as the forefront of the Armed Forces in safeguarding Philippine interests in the vastness of Palawan and the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

“I will pursue my new responsibility with similar fervor and intensity as I have in my previous command,” he said.

“I stand before you today with confidence that whatever challenges that may confront us, the Western Command will respond with the same resolve as it has done over the past years.”

Kalayaan, a fifth class municipality in Palawan, is located on Pag-Asa Island, one of the country’s regime of islands and reefs in the disputed Spratlys.

The Philippines has constructed a town hall, a 1.3-kilometer airstrip, a naval station, a health center and a kindergarten school on Pag-Asa Island.

Deveraturda supervised the relief efforts in the Visayas during the height of Typhoon Yolanda.

He vowed to adhere to the government’s policy of resolving the West Philippine Sea dispute peacefully.

“What the President said was very clear,” he said. “It should be resolved by peaceful means so we will continue to support that.”

Deveraturda succeeded Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, now chief of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

He was commander of the Cebu-based Central Command when Yolanda left more than 5,000 people dead.

Deveraturda was a former chief of the Air Force’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing based in Palawan and commander of the Air Force’s 2nd Division.

He also served as Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans, chief of the Modernization Program Management Office and commander of the Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing.

Balikatan

The Philippines and the US are now preparing for next year’s Balikatan war games.

In a statement, acting Army spokesman Capt. Anthony Bacus said the final site survey and planning conferences would be held this month to thresh out the details of the joint exercises.

“The conduct of these preparatory activities aims to finalize the exercise dates, venue, exercise concept, logistical requirements and other details necessary for the successful conduct of Balikatan 2014,” he said.

The site survey involving the inspection of possible training sites will be held from Dec. 2 to 6 in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Planning conferences will be made in Makati from Dec. 9 to 13.

Organizers have yet to determine the exact date of the drills, but the event is expected to start in May.

Preparations for Balikatan are moving even as the talks between the Philippines and the US on the increased rotational presence have hit an impasse.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin previously said one of the issues being threshed out is the access of Filipino troops to temporary US facilities. Negotiators are also addressing differences on the wording of the agreement.

The two countries adopted a policy of increased rotational presence amid China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

The policy is also expected to pave way to new activities similar to the Balikatan, in line with the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the two countries.

Leading the Balikatan final site survey team are   Army Col. Glorivine Dida and Maj. Anthony Williams of the US Army Pacific 25th Infantry Division. – With Alexis Romero