'Talks Made Us Look Like Beggars' – Joker
MANILA, Philippines - The refusal of the United States to take sides in the Scarborough Shoal tiff between the Philippines and China merely confirms that the long-standing mutual defense treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington is unreliable, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday.
Arroyo, an opposition senator, also cringed at the result of the highly publicized ministerial talks between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and top diplomats and officials of the country, saying it only made the top government officials look like “beggars” in the international community after the US official said America is not inclined to take the side of the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China but will only help build and strengthen the country’s maritime capabilities.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate National Defense Committee, said the US cannot afford to take sides in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and over the Scarborough Shoal as its stand is anchored on the presence of American business interests in China, which “will always play a vital role in their foreign policy decisions.”
According to Manila Bulletin research, China has been a major player in the global debt market since 2011, holding at least $1.6 trillion in US treasury bonds which helps maintain the US’ low interest rates and management of its enormous debt.
The US also owes at least $1.13 trillion to China, equivalent to 25 percent of the total $4.6-trillion debt given by foreign countries.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angarasaid Washington’s position to settle the territorial deadlock through peaceful settlement, and multilateral and rules-based approach is given following its crucial bilateral relations with China, now considered the economic giant in Asia.
“That is to be expected because this a sensitive time in US-China relations, what with the issue of the Chinese lawyer seeking asylum in the US embassy in Beijing as well as the need for the US to win over Beijing to its side regarding North Korea and Iran,” the Harvard educated-lawmaker said.
AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe agreed with Angara, saying that “Big Brother will never interfere unless its interests are affected.”
But while the US said it won’t take sides, Clinton reaffirmed America’s commitment to its MDT with the Philippines and to freedom of navigation and regional security. She also reiterated that the US will support a diplomatic resolution to any territorial disputes.
“The results of the Del Rosario-Clinton-Gazmin-Panetta ministerial meeting is a lesson for us – a small power – and that is, we should not embark on a high-profile meeting unless we are sure about a modi¬cum of success in the negotiation,” Arroyo said, referring to the high-level talks attended by Foreign Af¬fairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
“That underscores the importance of back channeling, the in¬formal diplomacy, the preliminary talks before the formal meeting. For why should we go through highly publicized talks, only to look beggared by puny cessations?” Ar¬royo said,
“Whereas before, there was at least some doubt where the US stands in the crisis, now it has been clarified. Nagkabistuhan na,” he stressed.
“Whereas before, there was at least some doubt where the US stands in the crisis, now it has been clarified. Nagkabistuhan na,” he stressed.
Arroyo said the Aquino govern¬ment should look up to former President Corazon C. Aquino, the President’s mother, who was “a master of that kind of diplomacy.”
“Informal talks were first made and the points of agreement were more or less agreed upon before the formal talks take place,” Ar¬royo said.
“If there was no agreement in the preparatory talks, it was useless to proceed with the formal meeting. Ask Teddy (Teodoro) “Boy” Locsin who was 25 years younger then. He was Cory’s effective diplomatic intercessor, among others,” he said of Mrs. Aquino’s former press sec¬retary.
Arroyo, who was Mrs. Aquino’s executive secretary, said the latest development in Washington only confirms what China had thought all along, “that the 61-year Mutual Defense Treaty cannot be invoked in the Scarborough standoff.”
In the joint statement, the US also affirmed it would cooperate on building the Philippines sea patrol capabilities and will transfer a second ship to the poorly equipped Philippine Navy some this year.
Both Del Rosario and Gazmin appealed also during the meeting for the US’ help in building at least a “minimum credible defense” for the Philippine Armed Forces. (With reports from Mario B. Casayuran and Charissa M. Luci)
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Scarborough Shoal
According to Wikipedia, Scarborough Shoal forms a triangle-shaped chain of reefs and islands (but mostly rocks) 55 kilometres (34 mi) around with an of area 150 square kilometers. It has a lagoon with area of 130 km² and depth of about 15 metres (49 ft). The shoal is a protrusion from a 3,500 m deep abyssal plain. Several of the islands including "South Rock" are 1/2 m to 3 m high and many of the reefs are just below water at high tide. Near the mouth of the lagoon are the ruins of an iron tower, 8.3 m high. It is about 123 miles (198 km) west of Subic Bay. The nearest landmass is Palauig, Zambales, on Luzon Island in the Philippines, 137 miles (220 km) away. The shoal and its surrounding area are rich fishing grounds.
I understand now why the government is trying its best to claim the shoal because it is a rich fishing ground. With the Philippines' economic state, the government are finding ways to help the country and its citizen to have a more comfortable life. The government sees the shoal as an instrument to provide our poor fellowmen some jobs. This idea is a very good thing for me for it will be very helpful to our country and its fellowmen.
When there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. I can't stand to see and hear this issue on newspapers, televisions and radios. It is a waste of time trying to show us the development of this issue even though there's really no development. The government is also spending a lot of money to pay the people they send there to guard the shoal. If the money spent there were to be spent on more useful and more meaningful things, it would be helpful in solving the country's other problems. The worst thing is, the government is trying to convince the United States of America to be on our side regarding this issue.
" Talks made us look like beggars " - Sen. Joker Arroyo. I agree with Sen. Joker Arroyo. Talks made us look like beggars. I hate how other countries will think that Philippines is too poor to fight for what Philippines think is right, too coward too fight and having no pride. I am ashamed for what the government and I am sure that some of our fellowmen are too.
I don't know why the government focuses on this issue. I suggest that they focus on other alternatives such as free education for all, tourism and finding a way to attract foreign investors to invest in our country or start a business here. In this way, unemployment rate will decrease and there will be more job for the Filipinos.
grade: 92%
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