China-led naval drills not an act of benevolence, says Alejano
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines' participation in drills with the Chinese navy and Southeast Asian militaries is another pro-China policy under the Duterte administration, Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo) said Tuesday.
The Department of Defense earlier announced that the joint military exercises between Association of Southeast Asian Nations member-states and China will be held in Zhanjiang, China from October 22 to 29.
Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the Beijing-led maritime exercises would deepen the country's understanding with China while "exploring possibilities of finding ways to improve the unexpected encounters and sea protocols."
Alejano, a former Marine captain, warned that China's initiative to conduct joint military exercises with the ASEAN is not an act of benevolence.
"It is a way of ensuring China’s dominance over the ASEAN region. The event poses undue influence on our national policies," Alejano said in a statement.
The Philippines holds annual military exercises with treaty ally and former colonizer, the US, but the Duterte administration's "independent foreign policy" has seen the country pursue better ties with non-traditional partners like China and Russia.
'Stockholm syndrome'
The lawmaker added that the Philippines appears to have developed Stockholm syndrome—a psychological phenomenon where victims identify or form a bond with their captors—with China.
China has rejected the July 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, that invalidated its nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. Beijing continues to insist that it has indisputable sovereignty over the disputed waterway, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines, under the Duterte administration, launched a bilateral consultation mechanism with China without putting the arbitration in the table.
"Our national policies enacted during Duterte’s term are very much in line with China’s expectations from us," Alejano said.
While the military drills between China and ASEAN would build "friendly relations," Alejano stressed that the Filipinos continue to experience harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy.
The proposed joint exploration with China in the West Philippine Sea also moves away from the issue of the maritime dispute, the Magdalo lawmaker said.
"We should remain critical of the foreign policy direction they are pursuing and vigilant of the actions of China on our waters," Alejano said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the Philippines in November, where he and Duterte are expected to discuss the proposed joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, Beijing expressed concern over the reported plan of the United States to deploy warchips and aircraft near in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait next month.
"China, of course, expressed concern over a naval military exercise that the United States will be conducting in the area at about the same time that the Chinese president will be in the Philippines," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
According to Roque, Duterte assured Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua that the Philippines will not be joining the US operations in a bid to counter China's aggression in the region.
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