AFP supports Sara’s non-confrontational stance, defends actions in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed agreement to Vice President Sara Duterte on her stance that the Philippines should not be picking fights with other countries including China to avoid complications in diplomatic relations. The military however maintained that actions in the country’s maritime entitlements, particularly the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are rightful and lawful.“Yes, I support that statement na hindi tayo dapat nakikipag-away (we should not be picking fights),” RAdm Roy Vincent Trinidad (Ret.) said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. Trinidad said keeping the peace has always been what the government and all concerned agencies are precisely doing. Being a defensive country, the Philippines is only standing up to its sovereignty and sovereign rights, he said. “By merely standing up for what is rightfully and legally ours, we are not fighting any other country. Ito ay tinatayuan natin sapagkat ito ay mandato ng inyong DND (Department of National Defense) at AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). And we would like to ensure that the next generation of Filipinos will inherit a country na buo at malaya (whole and free). And all those maritime entitlements within the EEZ (exclusive economic zone) will be for them to benefit,” Trinidad said. Speaking at a gathering with Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong on Sunday, Duterte suggested that resolving issues, such as the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines, is better handled through diplomatic talks rather than heated exchanges online.Over the past months, heated social media exchanges and a public "war of words" between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and Philippine defense, coast guard, and security officials have escalated tensions over maritime conflicts and even law enforcement operations. Instead of heated, public exchanges, the vice president suggested forming a team of diplomats and sending them wherever they need to negotiate and that they should be the ones talking.Duterte said that in relations with other countries, national interest must always be the priority. She also pointed out that failing to maintain good relations with China could adversely affect the livelihoods of many Filipinos.Might is not material Duterte also questioned the Philippines’ military might compared to China and even used a firearm analogy to illustrate the power disparity between the two nations. She asked, “Gaano ba kalaki ang baril ko? Gaano ba kalaki ang baril ng kalaban?” (How big is my gun? How big is the enemy's gun?) illustrating that a smaller weapon is outmatched. “Totoong mayroon tayong girian sa West Philippine Sea, pero dapat iniisip ng pamahalaan: gaano ba kalaki ang baril ko? Gaano ba kalaki ang baril ng kalaban? Ulo pa lang pinupukpok na ‘yang maliit mo na baril. Kaya kailangan binabalanse lagi ‘yan,” Duterte said. (It is true that we have a standoff in the West Philippine Sea, but the government should ask itself: How big is my gun? How big is the enemy’s gun? That small gun of yours gets pounded right away. That is why it always has to be balanced.) The statement, many noticed, echoed the claim of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan that China can easily win if it wants to use force - a remark heavily condemned by officials as “provocative and unacceptable.” The statement also drew lawmakers to file resolutions declaring him persona non-grata or recall him back to China. As for the AFP, might is out of the question in standing up for a country’s maritime rights. “Hindi pinag-uusapan ‘yung lakas ng sandatahan. We have what we have. We are improving our capabilities. Given what we have, we are good. Given more, we could perform even better. But, it will not stop the AFP from fighting, for standing up, for supporting all our government officials who stand up for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said. He said regardless of such statements, Filipinos should appreciate one fact, that the Philippines is not taking what is not hers. “It is but incumbent upon every Filipino to support the stand of government and the stand of the country to protect our maritime entitlements, our sovereignty, and our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. and for that matter, all over the country,” Trinidad said.

Read the full story at The Manila Times.