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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sweden expresses support for PH amid SCS dispute

Sweden expresses support for PH amid SCS dispute

Published Aug 16, 2023 06:56 am

At A Glance

  • Sweden is standing with the Philippines amid the latter's territorial row with China in the South China Sea.
  • The Department of National Defense said that Sweden's expression of support came after the courtesy call of Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last August 14.
  • Teodoro, in return, welcomed Sweden's support as he expressed hope for a global consensus on the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the SCS. 

Sweden is standing with the Philippines amid the latter’s territorial row with China in the South China Sea (SCS), the Department of National Defense (DND) disclosed on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

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(L-R) Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg and Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Photo: DND)

The DND said that Sweden’s expression of support came after the courtesy call of Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last August 14.

During their meeting, Teodoro and Thunborg discussed the “fruitful cooperation” between Manila and Stockholm, and reaffirmed both countries’ common commitment to a long-term partnership.

“Exchanging regional security situation updates, Ambassador Thunborg noted the developments in the South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea (WPS) and conveyed Sweden's support for the Philippines' position and upholding the rules-based international order,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.

“Both sides also stressed the need to further advance defense cooperation in light of today's challenges,” he added.

Teodoro, in return, welcomed Sweden’s support as he expressed hope for a global consensus on the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the SCS.

The tribunal ruling invalidated China’s massive claims in the SCS including areas that are within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines now known as the West Philippine Sea. The landmark ruling also underscored the importance of the Philippines' enforcement of its sovereign rights over its EEZ.

Meanwhile, Teodoro and Thunborg also talked about the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which is now on its third and final horizon, so that the military could enhance its capabilities to defend the country’s territory.

Thunborg reiterated Sweden’s offer of its flagship multirole fighter aircraft, the Saab JAS-39 Gripen, for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Teodoro thanked Thunborg and added that the DND remains committed to procure defense assets and equipment for the AFP that will be “sustainable, interoperable, and supportable.”

Teodoro and Thunborg were also hopeful for the ratification and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel, which was signed between the Philippines and Sweden last June 3 in Singapore.

“In anticipation of possible projects in the future, the Swedish Ambassador proposed to facilitate the exchange of information on the two countries' differing financial systems and financing packages that Sweden could offer,” Andolong said.

Several nations have earlier expressed support for the Philippines amid China's continued aggression in the SCS such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, and United Kingdom among others.

Last Aug. 5, tensions between the Philippines and China rose anew after Chinese coast guard, navy, and maritime militia vessels blocked and fired water cannon at Philippine vessels that were supposed to bring supplies to military troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Related Tags

Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. DND Sweden West Philippine Sea
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