Senator JV Ejercito (Senate PRIB)

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday, April 12, sought the expansion of existing defense cooperation programs of the Philippines and its allies to counter Chinese bullying in the South China Sea (SCS) and West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, Ejercito said the Philippine’s ongoing joint military exercises with the United States (US), as well as recent talks on the formation of a new defense pact with Japan, are crucial steps in achieving regional stability amid China’s growing military aggression.

“Japan, Australia, and the [US], as well as countries that have territorial claims in the South China Sea have to band together so that we can put up a respectable force against China’s aggression,” he added.

“Because of China’s aggressive and hostile activities in the [SCS] and [WPS], it is important for nations to have alliances and coordinate with each other’s armed forces and coast guards to ensure that the freedom of navigation in the [WPS] and [SCS] area is maintained,” he said.

On Tuesday, a day after China ended its massive military drills around Taiwan, the Philippines and the US launched the biggest "Balikatan" joint military exercise so far.

More than 17,000 Filipino and American troops will be participating in the joint drills under the PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) of 2014.

The Balikatan joint military exercise was created under the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) of 1999 and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951 between the two countries.

Last week, Senators led by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri met with Japanese lawmakers and security officials to discuss proposals seeking to establish similar defense agreements between the Philippines and Japan.

Joining Zubiri were Ejercito, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva and Senators Mark Villar, and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Edgardo ‘’Sonny’’ M,  Angara, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, and Nancy Binay.

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