'It's not about China': US-PH ties stand on its own—envoy
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Published May 17, 2023 08:31 am
United States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on Wednesday, May 17, stood by the defense ties between the two countries as she insisted that it has nothing to do with China alone.
Philippine and American flags (Photo from US Embassy in the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking on ANC’s “Headstart,” the envoy reiterated that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which mandates both countries to come to each other’s aid in case of an external attack, is not aimed at China.
“Our commitment to the Philippines stands on its own. Our relationship stands on its own. It's not about any third country. It's not about any single challenge," she said.
"It's not about China. It's certainly not about China alone. It's about what we do together and it dates back decades,” the envoy added.
Carlson made the remarks amid China’s criticism of increased US presence in the country due to the additional sites that American troops would have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
She stressed Washington’s stand on ensuring the Indo-Pacific region, described as the most dynamic in the world, must remain free and open.
The resource-rich South China Sea, which is claimed in whole by China and in part by the Philippines, Vietnam and several other countries, is part of the Indo-Pacific region and is home to trillions of dollars worth of international trade.
“Economic security is national security. So, making sure that we guarantee prosperity for our people means we have to have open sea lines of communication. We need to ensure that overflight is guaranteed," the ambassador explained.
"So, absolutely, we wanna work with the Philippines [and] like-minded partners to make sure these sea lanes are open and that we have a peaceful region so that our people can prosper."
She also defended the additional EDCA sites against the misunderstanding that these would be US military bases.
Carlson said these would remain to be “Philippine military bases” although the United States would “provide funding and insert capital to make improvements that are to the benefit of both Philippine military and within also be helpful to the US military in the event of any threat against either one of the two members of this mutual defense treaty alliance.”
The new EDCA sites earlier identified by the Philippine government are in Balabac Island in Palawan and in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
The sites in Isabela and Cagayan in the northernmost tip of the country, however, have alarmed Beijing because of their proximity to Taiwan, whose independence is being threatened by China.
Philippine and American flags (Photo from US Embassy in the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking on ANC’s “Headstart,” the envoy reiterated that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which mandates both countries to come to each other’s aid in case of an external attack, is not aimed at China.
“Our commitment to the Philippines stands on its own. Our relationship stands on its own. It's not about any third country. It's not about any single challenge," she said.
"It's not about China. It's certainly not about China alone. It's about what we do together and it dates back decades,” the envoy added.
Carlson made the remarks amid China’s criticism of increased US presence in the country due to the additional sites that American troops would have access to under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
She stressed Washington’s stand on ensuring the Indo-Pacific region, described as the most dynamic in the world, must remain free and open.
The resource-rich South China Sea, which is claimed in whole by China and in part by the Philippines, Vietnam and several other countries, is part of the Indo-Pacific region and is home to trillions of dollars worth of international trade.
“Economic security is national security. So, making sure that we guarantee prosperity for our people means we have to have open sea lines of communication. We need to ensure that overflight is guaranteed," the ambassador explained.
"So, absolutely, we wanna work with the Philippines [and] like-minded partners to make sure these sea lanes are open and that we have a peaceful region so that our people can prosper."
She also defended the additional EDCA sites against the misunderstanding that these would be US military bases.
Carlson said these would remain to be “Philippine military bases” although the United States would “provide funding and insert capital to make improvements that are to the benefit of both Philippine military and within also be helpful to the US military in the event of any threat against either one of the two members of this mutual defense treaty alliance.”
The new EDCA sites earlier identified by the Philippine government are in Balabac Island in Palawan and in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
The sites in Isabela and Cagayan in the northernmost tip of the country, however, have alarmed Beijing because of their proximity to Taiwan, whose independence is being threatened by China.