MANILA – The Philippines’ decision to strengthen its alliance with Japan and the United States is a “sovereign decision” and should not be seen as a threat by any peace-loving country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the statement after Beijing’s criticism against the trilateral leaders’ summit between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week.
“The trilateral cooperation is a partnership and a cooperative framework for the promotion of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” the DFA said on Thursday.
“This is a sovereign choice and decision of the Philippines and is in accordance with the country’s national interests and independent foreign policy,” it added. “Our actions are in line with international laws and complement our commitments in other regional and multilateral forums.”
The DFA also refuted China for alluding to the Philippines as a country “seeking backing from non-regional countries” while making “provocations at sea.”
“The source of tension in our region is well known to all. China should reflect upon its own actions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea,” the DFA said.
“It is China’s excessive maritime claims and aggressive behavior, including its militarization of reclaimed features, that are undermining regional peace and stability and raising tensions,” it added.
The DFA also scored China’s “unwarranted references” to the Cold War, saying this only sensationalizes the situation and misrepresents the peaceful purpose of the Philippines-US-Japan trilateral cooperation.
“Nevertheless, those who wish to invoke the lessons of the past should also recall the need for adherence to the rule of law and how peace and stability has been maintained in our region through observance and respect for international law,” it said./PN
