Philippines, US to counter China’s false narratives on West Philippine Sea – envoy

WASHINGTON – The Philippines and the United States will collaborate to counter China’s “false narratives” on the West Philippine Sea, Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Wednesday.

Such narratives include the supposed “imposition” by the US on the Philippines to take part in its “proxy war” against China.

This was among the commitments made during the recently concluded 11th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) held here from April 22 to April 23, Romualdez told reporters at a press briefing at the Philippine embassy.

The two countries are also considering developing protocols on joint maritime law enforcement operations in Philippine waters and exclusive economic zones as part of strengthening efforts against illegal activities such as unregulated fishing, smuggling and piracy, among others.

The two countries also agreed to launch an inaugural dialogue on the cyber-digital space to strengthen the Philippines’ cybersecurity capabilities.

Furthermore, the Philippines and the US also reiterated calls for China to cease its aggressive and dangerous actions in the South China Sea including “its unlawful interference with the Philippines’ freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” according to a joint statement on the BSD.

Senior Philippine and US officials were in Washington for the two-day dialogue.

In all, the two sides re-dedicated themselves to cooperation by expanding partnership, modernizing alliance cooperation, promoting an international law-based maritime order, and advancing common prosperity.

Romualdez said both sides reiterated commitments of cooperation in line with the two countries’ shared vision of partnership, peace and prosperity.

“This is just an offshoot of the trilateral summit that we’ve had where there is an ironclad commitment coming from the United States of the Mutual Defense Treaty. So as far as defense, that’s in place and with that, goes everything that needs to be done to be able to support us in our sovereign rights and freedom of navigation and rule of law,” Romualdez said.

In the area of law-based maritime order, the two countries reiterated their commitment to upholding international maritime laws.

On alliance cooperation, the two countries also agreed to finalize the addition of sites for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement by the end of 2024.

On shared prosperity, the two countries underscored the need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, according to the joint statement.

They likewise reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and “to advance a free, safe and open Indo-Pacific.” — Pia Lee-Brago