From Rappler (Jul 2): Aquino: US, Japan need to know PH terrain
President Benigno Aquino III justified a government plan to give theUS
"There are only two strategic partners that we have. It isAmerica and Japan
"They need to know our terrain. We need to practice inter-operability," he added.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government is drafting plans to allow US forces to spend extended time on thePhilippines Japan
The plan drew mixed reactions.
READ: Give Australia, ASEAN access to bases
And it comes at a difficult time for Philippine-China relations.
On Saturday, June 29, China's state-run media warned that the Philippines should brace itself for a possible "counterstrike should Beijing continue to be provoked in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
ThePhilippines has accused China of "massive" military buildup in the disputed West Philippine Sea . In a statement released on the first day of the annual Asia-Pacific talks in Brunei , the Philippines
"Hindi naman siguro pwedeng mag-practice tayo outside of our territory. It is but the natural circumstance. If you want a credible alliance, then you will have to have mutual training that will normally occur within our territory or teh allies' territory," he explained.
Nevertheless, the President said the government will do everything to pursue peaceful means in resolving the conflict.
ThePhilippines
READ: Top maritime judge to hear PH case vs China
"It is in our Constitution. We renounce war as policy," Aquino stressed.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/32707-aquino-united-states-japan-philippines-terrain
President Benigno Aquino III justified a government plan to give the
"There are only two strategic partners that we have. It is
"They need to know our terrain. We need to practice inter-operability," he added.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the government is drafting plans to allow US forces to spend extended time on the
The plan drew mixed reactions.
READ: Give Australia, ASEAN access to bases
And it comes at a difficult time for Philippine-China relations.
On Saturday, June 29, China's state-run media warned that the Philippines should brace itself for a possible "counterstrike should Beijing continue to be provoked in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
The
"Hindi naman siguro pwedeng mag-practice tayo outside of our territory. It is but the natural circumstance. If you want a credible alliance, then you will have to have mutual training that will normally occur within our territory or teh allies' territory," he explained.
Nevertheless, the President said the government will do everything to pursue peaceful means in resolving the conflict.
The
READ: Top maritime judge to hear PH case vs China
"It is in our Constitution. We renounce war as policy," Aquino stressed.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/32707-aquino-united-states-japan-philippines-terrain