Flags of the Philippines (left), United States (Unsplash)


The increasing tension between world powers United States (US) and China should be enough reason for the Philippines to back out of the scheduled "war games" with the western country. Thus, said House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro in  a statement Monday, April 10. "The Philippines should not proceed with the scheduled joint training exercises with US troops tomorrow to avoid getting caught in the middle of tensions between the United States and China," she said. "Kailangan pag-isipan ng gobyerno, at ng security forces ano 'yung magiging effect n'yan sa ating bansa (The government and our security forces must think of its effects to our country)," noted the teacher-solon. "At this time na mayroon conflict ang US at China, talagang we will be at the middle at mahirap malagay sa gitna ng nag-uumpugang bato lalo pa at ang mamamayan natin ang maaapektuhan (We would really be caught in the middle of these two giants at this time when there's tension between them, and it's our countrymen that would be affected)," she said. According to the Makabayan solon, the Philippines ought to follow the lead of countries like Indonesia and Malaysia that counter Chinese incursions in their territory by developing their gas fields aside from the diplomatic protests and the summoning of their respective Chinese ambassadors. "Kailangan na ang pagbabantay na laban sa mga mananakop ang tutukan ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) dahil mas tumitindi na ang tensyon ngayon (The AFP needs to focus against incursions because the tension is intensifying)," Castro said. Last month, Balikatan 2023 spokesperson Col. Michael Logico announced that over 17,000 Filipino and US troops will be participating in the training exercises. The drills, which will reportedly focus on naval exercises, intend to ensure combat readiness and upgrade the skills of both forces.