Russian military donations to AFP

From Russia with love 

Russia donates 5,000 kalashnikov AKM assault rifles, 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks, 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets, and 1 million rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The AKM assault rifles, and the Ssh-68 steel helmets

The AKM is a modernized variant of the AK-47 chambered in 7.62x39 mm Russian round, Russia also donated 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which is uncomfortable to use, and it is already obsolete when compared to modern day 21st century helmets.

URAL trucks

Russia also donated 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Russian/Soviet Ural trucks are known as the back bone of the USSR armed forces during the cold war, in the present time the Ural trucks could now be converted into different variants depending on the needs of the Russian armed forces, the trucks are still currently in use by the Russian armed forces.

Analysis

Like what happened to the donated assault rifles of China, the donated assault rifles, and trucks of Russia might be donated to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well, the Philippine National Police (PNP) unlike the armed forces is a law enforcement agency, and being civilian in nature their doctrines, principles, training, and how they conduct daily operations are somehow not similar with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) choose to keep the donated assault rifles of Russia, it is quite interesting to know who would be the end user of these donated assault rifles, the donated AKM would seem to be a major logistical disaster, that is because it would affect military principles, and doctrines, would be changed or be modified once again that is because of the introduction of the 7.62x39 mm Russian rounds. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) standard assault rifle is the M4A1 that uses 5.56x45 mm rounds, the M16 assault rifles that also uses 5.56x45 are used by the reservists. 

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines choose to keep the donated assault rifles, the good news is, the Government Arsenal could mass produce 7.62x39 mm rounds, once they are required to do so by the Department of National Defense for the logistical sufficiency of our 7.62x39 rounds.

The 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose off road trucks, could be donated to the Philippine National Police, if the armed forces is the end user of the 20 Ural then it might end with specialized units such as the nurse/medical corps, engineering brigades, and similar smaller units within the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is because of its limited numbers.

The donation might open a door to a deeper, and better Philippine-Russian relations, although the intention of the Russian donation is to counter terrorism within the Philippines. 

Some Filipinos interpret it as a teaser or just a mere sample for Russian military hardware, at the same time viewed as an military investment of Russia in the Philippines for its bid, and business interests on the ongoing AFP modernization programs. While some Filipinos view the donation, as a donation of Russian stockpiled Cold War era junk. 

"Beggars can't be choosers"

Click the link for the report: We'll buy arms from Russia, Philippines' Duterte tells Putin

“We are looking at helicopters, small arms and equipment for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, but we are still discussing the specifics,” said the same military official who declined to be named because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

 “We still prefer U.S. and Western equipment but they are very expensive. If the Russians and Chinese equipment can be comparable in quality, then they can be excellent alternatives.”

Q&A

Tell us what do you think about the Russian donation on the comments; and

Is the Russian donation useful for the Armed Forces of the Philippines?         

Read More

The Russian Federation offered helicopters, naval equipment and small arms to the Philippines

(c)

Moscow. 24 May. INTERFAX.RU - Russia held a presentation for the Philippines of helicopters, naval equipment and small arms, Interfax was told on Wednesday by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia.

"It's premature to talk about deliveries of specific types of weapons and military equipment, we are waiting for official appeals from the Philippine side," said Maria Vorobyeva, the official representative of the Federal Arbitration Service of Russia.

She stated that the presentation of the Kalashnikov concern products, Mi-17V-5, Mi-171Sh, Mi-35 helicopters, high-speed boats, coast guard systems and other military products was held on the Philippine side.

The FSMTC said that it was a matter of military equipment and weapons, which would help the Philippines to increase the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism and piracy.

"We are discussing the issue of the formation of the legal framework for Russian-Philippine military-technical cooperation," Vorobyova said.

"The Russian Federation, in response to the interest of the leadership of the Republic of the Philippines in the development of military-technical cooperation, expresses its readiness for further discussion of the parameters of mutually beneficial partnership relations in this area," the FSMTC representative said.


Translated from Interfax.ru using Google Translate

SOURCE:Interfax

Read More

‘Guided rockets’ used during op targeting ISIS-linked militants in besieged Philippines city

Smoke rises in the residential neighbourhood of Marawi City in southern Philippines May 27, 2017 © Erik De Castro / Reuters

Philippines military helicopters fired guided rockets at positions of an Islamist rebel group in the besieged southern city of Marawi, apparently marking the first time the government has resorted to heavy firepower, Reuters reports.

The operation comes as the city enters the fifth day of a siege by government forces.

“We are trying to use our maximum force,” Reuters quoted Mindanao Command Chief Major General Carlito Galvez as saying.

“The main purpose of the offensive is to suppress the lawlessness and to maintain normalcy in Marawi so that our people here, our countrymen, can return, especially by Ramadan,” he said, adding that he hopes the city would be cleared within three days. 

Since Tuesday, Philippines armed forces have been clashing with the local Maute group affiliated with Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), which has taken over large parts of Marawi on the island of Mindanao. The fighting erupted after a raid on the alleged hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, a head of Abu Sayyaf, another rebel group on Mindanao. In 2014, Hapilon pledged allegiance to ISIS.

“It is painful for the Maranao [name used for Mindanao residents] that it is Ramadan but our action now is to protect Marawi. These are the impacts of the local terrorist group’s actions,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera said, DW reports.

IS’ Amaq news agency reported that its militants were responsible for the unrest in Marawi.

“I saw them near the highway. I saw ISIS there. I could tell because they wore black headbands with the ISIS signs,” Reuters cited a man named Musa, who was fleeing Marawi, as saying.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law for 60 days on the Philippines’ second-largest island, Mindanao, home to a Muslim minority.

The president has previously warned that he would not hesitate to extend martial law throughout the whole nation if necessary.

In a bid to retake Marawi, government troops neutralized at least 41 Maute fighters, including militants of Malaysian and Indonesian origin, according to a military spokesman, as cited by Reuters. On the government side, 13 soldiers have been killed, with 45 wounded.

Officials fear losses among civilians, AP reports. Up to 90 percent of Marawi’s population of 200,000 has fled, while those left in the city wave white flags to signal they are not militants.

“[The rebels’] refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical airstrikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end,” AP quoted a military statement as saying.

On Friday, President Duterte urged the militants to start negotiations, saying that they could “still solve this through dialogue.”

“And if you cannot be convinced to stop fighting, so be it. Let’s just fight,” he said.

SOURCE: RT News

Read More

Philippines needs modern weapons vs ISIS, Duterte tells Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Maxim Shemetov, Reuters

MOSCOW - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the Philippines needs modern arms to fight Islamic State and that he expected Russian support.

Duterte also said he had to halt his visit to Moscow and return home as there was still fighting with ISIS's militants there.

Putin said he hoped the conflict in the Philippines would be resolved "with minimum losses". He also said there were the prospects for economic and military cooperation between Moscow and Manila. 

Putin met Rodrigo Duterte late Tuesday, instead of meeting on Thursday as originally planned.

Duterte earlier declared martial law in southern Mindanao province after fighting raged in southern Marawi City between the army and militants linked to Islamic state. 

Duterte, a native of Mindanao, cancelled a meeting set for Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. 

Two soldiers and a policeman were killed and 12 wounded amid chaos in Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city of about 200,000 people, where members of the Maute militant group took control of buildings and set fire to a school, a church and a detention facility.

"The government is in full control of the situation and is fully aware that the Maute/ISIS and similar groups have the capability, though limited, to disturb the peace," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told a news conference in Moscow.

The Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and have proved fierce opponents for the military as Duterte seeks to crush extremists and prevent radical Islamist ideology from spreading in the Philippines.

Abella said the militants "have shown no hesitation in causing havoc, taking innocent lives and destroying property."

Duterte has warned repeatedly that Mindanao, an impoverished, restive region the size of South Korea, was at risk of "contamination" by Islamic State fighters driven out of Iraq and Syria.

Brigadier General Rolando Bautista, commander of the Philippines' First Infantry Division, said security forces were trying to locate militants who had scattered everywhere and were blocking reinforcements from arriving.

"There are more or less 100, divided into groups of 10 in different locations," Bautista told news channel ANC.

"Since they are advocating ISIS ideology they have to show ISIS that they are a force to be reckoned with."

MAUTE SNIPERS

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said and some 1,000 soldiers would be in Marawi by morning, but warned civilians to stay in their homes.

"There are Maute snipers all around, so the troops are still holding and elements have already joined," he said.

The purpose of Tuesday's raid was to capture Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group which is notorious for piracy and for kidnapping and beheading Westerners. The U.S. State Department has offered a bounty of up to $5 million for Hapilon's arrest.

The military has not explained how the raid on an apartment turned into urban warfare that was still raging 12 hours later.

The incident highlights the challenges facing Duterte, who has pleaded with separatists and moderate Muslims in the predominantly Catholic nation to shun Abu Sayyaf and Maute.

He has threatened several times to declare martial law in Mindanano, and deliver a "harsh" crackdown. Martial law will apply for 60 days.

The government has blamed the Maute for a bombing in September 2016 at a street market in Duterte's hometown of Davao City, which killed 14 people and wounded dozens.

Maute fighters took over a disused building in the region in November and endured five days of military air and ground assaults before fleeing, with 61 fighters killed. - with a report from Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

SOURCE: ABS CBN News

Read More

Russia asks Philippines to submit shopping list of defense equipment

Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano meets with Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavror in Moscow. The STAR/Alexis Romero

MOSCOW – Russia has asked the Philippines to submit a shopping list of defense equipment after President Rodrigo Duterte urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide him with a loan to buy firearms.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano said the Russian government was willing to “do all efforts” to accommodate Duterte’s request.

“The response of the Russian Federation through President (Vladimir) Putin was very, very generous. So they said, well, we have the framework in place through our agreements to cooperate,” Cayetano said in a press briefing Wednesday night here.

“They have showed us what is available to us. I’m not at liberty now to discuss that…but they are awaiting our proposals,” he added.

While there was no decision yet on the loan being sought by the Philippines, Cayetano said Russia has provided help to countries that it considers as friends.

“It’s nothing new for the Russian Federation to lend a helping hand to countries that are their friends,” the Foreign Affairs chief said.

Duterte asked Putin for a soft loan during their bilateral meeting in Kremlin last Tuesday, hours before the Philippine leader left for Manila. Duterte said he needed money to buy firearms as the Philippines’ rifle deal with the US had been scrapped.

The US State Department halted the sale of some 26,000 rifles to the Philippine police last year after Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin had raised issues about the Duterte administration’s human rights record.

Cayetano said the loan may be used to buy not just firearms but to acquire equipment that would improve the chances of survival of government troops.

“These are really modern equipment that can be used to fight terrorist that will avoid injuring or causing deaths or damage or deaths to innocent bystanders or people in a community and also to prevent collateral damage,” Cayetano said.

“That also goes, for example, for our police and our military. You know, they’re suffering. They’re getting hurt. They don’t have the best hospital equipment. Sometimes, the Abu Sayyaf have better equipment than they do,” he added.

Duterte also invited Putin to visit the Philippines during their bilateral meeting.

Cayetano said Putin had expressed his gratitude to Duterte for the invitation. It was unclear whether the Russian leader accepted the invitation but Cayetano said such invitations do not usually get immediate response.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to come to the Philippines in November to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and related summits. 

SOURCE: Philippine Star

Read More

PH, Russia to sign defense deal during Duterte visit

FIRST MEETING. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet for the first time during the APEC Summit in Peru in 2016. Malacañang file photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Russia will sign a defense cooperation agreement and other bilateral deals when President Rodrigo Duterte goes on a 5-day official visit to the country next week.

Duterte will visit the cities of Moscow and St Petersburg during his visit from May 22 to 26, and will be accompanied by several Cabinet officials and a large business delegation, Foreign Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad said in a Palace briefing Friday, May 19.

Natividad said deals expected to be signed during the visit include a defense cooperation agreement, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Russian and Philippine security councils, a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and an extradition treaty.

The defense agreement, which will deal specifically with "military and technical cooperation," will set the stage for the Philippines' possible acquisition of defense assets from Russia.

"The agreement on military technical cooperation will pave the way for the Philippines to explore a possibility of military procurement from Russia," said Natividad.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had earlier confirmed he would sign a defense cooperation deal with Russia's defense ministry involving information sharing, training, and technical cooperation.

Another expected outcome of the visit is the establishment of a Philippine Office of Defense Attaché in Moscow and a similar Russian office in Manila.

Highlights

The other highlights of the visit include a bilateral meeting between Duterte and his "idol," Russian President Vladimir Putin, a bilateral meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and a visit to a St Petersburg military shipyard. 

Duterte will also have a gathering with the Filipino community in Russia and nearby states. The growing number of Filipinos expected to attend the event has prompted organizers to change the venue, Natividad said.

The Philippine leader will also give a speech at Russia's Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), a world-renowed diplomatic school.

He is expected to "articulate his admininstration's commitment to pursue an independent foreign policy," said Natividad.

Official vs state visit

Unlike Duterte's first visit to China, his Russia visit will only be an official visit, and not a state visit.

An official visit is considered a level lower than a state visit in terms of ceremony and importance.

However, Natividad said "this is as important as a state visit if you look at the quality of meetings the President will be having with Russian officials."

The decision on the type of visit was made by the Russian government as the inviting party. But Natividad is confident that Russia will still give Duterte a red carpet welcome.

She also emphasized the significance of the visit as it is upon the invitation of Putin himself.

The last Philippine president to visit Russia upon the invitation of its leaders was Fidel Ramos.

The formal invitation to Duterte reached the Philippine government as early as January but due to Duterte's busy schedule, which included hosting an Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, the visit had to be pushed back.

Another important factor that influenced the date of the visit was Russia's climate. Natividad admitted they waited for "good weather." Duterte previously spoke of an aversion to visiting countries during the cold season. – Rappler.com

SOURCE: Rappler

Read More

PHL military open to accepting firearms donation from China

(c)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said they welcome the possibility that China will donate rifles to the security forces in the country.

"Alam po ninyo kung matulad man sa atin, kung meron tayong pangangailangan at mas makatitipid tayo sa ibibigay sa ating tulong, yung ibang perang gagastusin natin dun sa pangangailangan na yan ay magagamit pa natin sa iba pa nating pangangailangan ay mabuting balita po 'yun," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

"So in that particular regard kung meron po tayong balita... may napabalita na magdodonate sa atin ng mga armas, okay po yan," he added.

Arevalo said that a team will check the firearms that will be donated, noting that the equipment should work side by side with the weapons in the military's inventory.

"Merong technical working group na siyang nagsasagawa ng pagaaral upang siguruhin na ang kagamitan na ating bibilhin or ating idadagdag sa ating inventory ay tunay na inter-operable sa mga kagamitan na meron tayo. Sapagkat pag hindi naman po 'yan... pag ibinigay sa inyo ay hindi na masisira, so kailangan natin ng spare parts, kailangan natin ng bala, kailangan natin ng pang-maintain," Arevalo said.

"Kailangan po na pwede natin siyang gamitin alongside the armaments that we have in our inventory. So lahat po 'yan ay magiging bahagi ng pagaaral," he added.

China in December offered $14 million worth of small firearms and fast boats to the Philippines for free, aiding President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and fight against terrorism. — BAP, GMA News

SOURCE: GMA News

Read More

PHL has good jungle warfare school: US mily official

http://www.3rdmeb.marines.mil(c)

MANILA, May 17 -- The Philippines has a very good jungle warfare school in Ternate, Cavite, a ranking American military official involved in the anti-terrorism phase of this year's "Balikatan" exercises, has said.

In an interview Tuesday, US Joint Task Force commander Brig. Gen. John Jansen said he has observed American and Filipino troops perform counter-terrorism drills in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija and Ternate, Cavite a few days ago.

"They train to a very high level that brings in the kind of capabilities that you need to be able to locate, identify, track, close with and do the things that need to be done relative to terrorists," Jansen said.

Drills include clearing a town infested with terrorists and disarming improvised bombs and explosives left by lawless elements.

"You’ve got a very good jungle warfare training school down there. In fact, we think we have a very good jungle warfare training school in Okinawa, Japan. It’s very tough, they put you out there with a bottle of water and a Kaybar knife. They put you out there and pick you up in seven days kind of thing. Our Marines say that yours is tougher here, down there in Ternate," he added.

This year's "Balikatan" exercises began last May 8 and winds up on May 19. (PFN/PNA)

SOURCE: Philippine News Agency

Read More

Grounded UH-1D choppers cleared to fly again

UH-1D choppers, which were grounded early this month after a crash in Tanay, Rizal, that killed three Air Force servicemen, have been cleared to fly again. Two of the choppers were seen participating in the Balikatan exercises held in Aurora. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / NIñO JESUS ORBETA

CASIGURAN, Aurora— The Philippine Air Force’s UH-1D helicopters have been cleared to fly again despite the fatal crash that killed three airmen in Tanay, Rizal early this month which has remained unresolved.

Two of the UH-1D choppers were used in Balikatan exercises here, where Philippine and US troops trained for relief operations following a supertyphoon.

Air Force spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco explained that “individual lifting” was made after the grounding of the choppers.

“Halimbawa, kung anong unit ang mayroong UH-1D i-inspect nila. Kung walang makitang defect, i-lift nila. So nagkanya-kanyang inspection sila at wala namang nakita,” he said.

(For example, they would inspect units which have UH-1D. If they don’t see a defect, they would lift the order. They conducted their own inspections and they did not see any problem.)

An Air Force Huey UH-1D helicopter flies high during Balikatan exercises in Casiguran, Aurora, on May 16, 2017. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / NIñO JESUS ORBETA

Francisco said there are currently eight operational UH-1D choppers while three are undergoing maintenance.

“Even before the crash may mga naka schedule for maintenance at hindi pa operational lahat at that time,” he said.

(Even before the crash, there were already units scheduled for maintenance and not all units were operational at that time.)

A pilot and two crewmen of the UH-1D were killed while one survived in the UH-1D helicopter crash during a training for rescue operations in Tanay last May 4.

The Air Force said they immediately grounded the helicopters after the incident as part of their standard operating procedure.

While the existing helicopters have been cleared to fly again, Francisco said there were still no results in the investigation on the crash.

“Bubuksan pa ‘yung makina. Bibiyakin pa para talaga intensive ang investigation (We will still open the engines. We will open them so we can investigate them intensively),” he said.

Francisco said there were originally 13 units of the UH-1D but two were downed from crashes.

The first reported crash of the UH-1D was in November 2015 in Sarangani, which injured two pilots and seven other crew onboard.

The deal on the acquisition of the refurbished choppers in 2013 worth P1.2 billion from Rice Aircraft Services was reportedly tainted with corruption and some of the units were allegedly defective, prompting the Senate to investigate. CBB/IDL/rga

SOURCE: Inquirer

Read More

PH, Japanese coast guards to hold joint drills in June

CTTO

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and its Japanese counterparts will be conducting joint exercises in Sulu and the Celebes Sea to boost both forces’ capabilities in fighting off piracy attacks.

The PCG with the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) held the first of the bilateral drills on Saturday, with the second to be held on June 2 to 3.

PCG officer in charge Commodore Joel Garcia pointed out that the international shipping community is concerned with sea piracy attacks in past months in the southern Philippines.

“I think the joint exercise shows our strong partnership and cooperation in combating armed robbery,” said Garcia of the maritime exercise.

The JCG’s vice commandant for operations, Vice Admiral Shuichi Iwanami, noted that a memorandum was inked to boost the cooperation and relationship between the two forces.

“We expect the next joint exercise would be conducted in Davao in June. We will further enhance our coordination between the two Coast Guards,” Iwanami said.

The joint drills, as well as the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia-Information Sharing Center, aims to improve the response against sea piracy and armed robbery against ships.

The JCG will deploy its jet aircraft, the Falcon 900 (JA 8571), together with the PCG’s search and rescue vessels, the BRP Davao del Norte (SARV-3503) and the BRP Malapascua (MRRV 4403), as well as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ MCS 3007 sea vessel.

The drills will include a communications and surveillance exercise during a simulated piracy attack of a cargo vessel between Mindoro and Jolo, Sulu while enroute from Australia to China.

Garcia said the joint maneuvers will also test the PCG and the JCG’s capability to conduct aerial surveillance and aerial reconnaissance.

Although drills on maritime safety and environmental pollution have been conducted in the southern Philippines, it will be the first time in years that an anti-sea piracy drill will be held here.

“We are not worried about the Abu Sayyaf, because the exercise would be conducted by air to test the maritime surveillance capability of both Coast Guards,” he explained.

The exercises, he added, will be more on maritime security aerial surveillance and reconnaissance although some sea vessels will be also taking part in the exercises.

“It would provide us the political and the security resolve on our cooperation between the two Coast Guards,” Garcia said, citing the participation of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia-Information Sharing Center.

SOURCE: Inquirer

Read More

DND to build naval base in Casiguran, Aurora

Subic Naval Base - CTTO

MANILA, May 14 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said plans are afoot to construct a naval base in Casiguran town, Aurora as part of the government's efforts to secure the resource-rich Benham Rise.

He added that he will soon visit and inspect the site of the proposed naval base.

This is to determine what needs to be done as there is already an existing airstrip in the location.

Lorenzana added that it is very likely that only piers are needed to be set up for the ships that will be assigned there.

In March, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to put up something at Benham Rise to show that the undersea feature belongs to the Philippines.

This was after after Chinese survey ships were spotted off Benham Rise, reportedly looking for an area where submarines can be deployed.

Navy frigates are now patrolling Benham Rise on orders of the Armed Forces' Northern Luzon Command.

At present, there are no active naval bases on Luzon's eastern seaboard but there are only detachments, according to the Navy.

The only active naval base facing the east is the Camilo Osias Naval Operating Base in Barangay San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, on mainland Luzon's northernmost tip. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

SOURCE: Philippine News Agency

Read More

SC's Carpio: Philippines can't have VFA with China

'COMMON SENSE'. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio says the Philippines cannot have a Visiting Forces Agreement with China. Rappler photo

MANILA, Philippines – "It is common sense."

Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio dismissed proposals for the Philippines to have a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with China and allow Chinese troops to hold military exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"We cannot have a VFA with them when they are claiming our territory," Carpio told reporters on Wednesday, May 10, on the sidelines of a maritime security symposium hosted by the Philippine Navy.

"It's difficult to have a VFA with a country claiming your territory and maritime zones. How can you have naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea if you are doing it with a country that's claiming the West Philippine Sea? For me, it is common sense," Carpio said.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently said he is open to joint exercises between the Philippines and China "here in Mindanao, maybe in the Sulu Sea."

Duterte made the statement as Chinese warships visited his hometown Davao City on May 1, the first time in 7 years that Chinese vessels visited the Philippines.

Defense and military officials said a VFA – a treaty that should be initiated by Malacañang but ratified by the Senate – is necessary to allow these activities.

The Philippines has a VFA with the United States and Australia, allowing joint exercises with these two countries. The Balikatan, the biggest military exercises with the US, is ongoing in various parts of the Philippines.

Carpio was among the legal luminaries who led the Philippine case against China that was filed by the previous Aquino administration. The Permanent Court of Arbitration junked China's 9-dash line claim over the disputed waters, but China refuses to recognize the ruling.

Unlike the previous administration, Duterte has opted for warm ties with China, while shelving the arbitral ruling.

Carpio supports engagements with China, particularly on trade. But he said having a VFA with China is another matter.

"Our relationship with any country should not be limited to a single issue. We have a dispute with China but we can go on trading with China. Normal relations can continue. But, of course, there are other matters we cannot do. We cannot have our VFA with them when they are claiming our territory," he said. – Rappler.com

SOURCE : Rappler

Read More