5-4-2024 (MANILA) As leaders from the Philippines, the United States, and Japan gear up for their forthcoming meeting in Washington D.C. next week, a top Philippine official has revealed that the recent escalating tensions in the South China Sea will be a crucial item on the agenda.
Addressing the media in a televised briefing on Friday, Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Hans Mohaimin Siriban stated, “We can expect an alignment of views among the three countries on the recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea,” employing Manila’s term for the disputed waters.
The remarks come in the wake of a confrontation last month between Chinese and Philippine vessels, during which Manila alleges that a Filipino civilian boat sustained severe damage and some crew members were injured when two China Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at it. The China Coast Guard, however, maintains that it acted in “a reasonable and professional manner.”
President Joe Biden is set to host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 11, where trilateral cooperation in the realms of economy, peace, and security in the Indo-Pacific region will be discussed.
Siriban emphasized that “This trilateral cooperation is not directed at any country,” clarifying that its primary focus is on “building economic resilience,” particularly for the Philippines. Nonetheless, he expressed hope that the alliance will help “capacitate” the Philippines on maritime security and enhance its capability “to be interoperable with our partners.”
The upcoming trilateral talks come on the heels of Marcos’ recent vow to pursue “deliberate” countermeasures against “dangerous attacks” by Chinese ships in the South China Sea. The Philippine leader also disclosed that he is engaged in discussions with allies to help secure his country’s sovereignty in the contested waters.
