Reynaldo O. Arcilla
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte broached the idea of convening a meeting with his living predecessors to discuss the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute.
It turned out to be a nonstarter. To begin with, nothing was ever heard from former president Fidel V. Ramos. And we know the reaction of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd.
What we would like to suggest instead is the convening of a meeting of the National Security Council, or a body to be created for the purpose by the President, to fully discuss Philippine-US relations in every aspect. It is long overdue.
And it couldn’t be timelier. The prevailing atmosphere in China-US relations demands it.
For instance, according to his spokesman, Digong is still thinking if the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US would help us if the WPS dispute worsens. Its twice postponed abrogation is now due to take effect on August 10 this year.
Our view is that the VFA, along with the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) ought to be abrogated before the WPS dispute worsens for reasons we have stated many times over in this space.
Suffice it to cite at this time what Digong himself and his defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana have said, i.e., “a military clash between the two will most certainly draw Chinese attack on the Philippines where US troops and military bases are located.”
Top US government officials keep announcing to the world that an armed attack on the Philippines by China “will trigger the activation of the MDT.” As the saying goes, “go tell that to the Marines.” Too, if the US officials think China believes that, they have another thing coming.
Republished from Manila Times 01-06-2021