News Roundup 15 April 2024
Apr 15, 2024 • 5 min Read
Marcos optimistic ‘ironclad’ US-PH defense pact is beyond politics | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed optimism that the “ironclad” commitment of the United States to its defense treaty with the Philippines will remain constant and is “beyond politics.”
Marcos made the remark when asked if he is concerned that, former US President Donald Trump, should he get reelected, would not offer the same “ironclad commitment” to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington.
“I believe what we have agreed with the United States are beyond politics,” Marcos said in a forum in Manila Hotel, adding that “those treaty agreements must be honored.”
Marcos, however, noted that US President Joe Biden’s reelection will provide a “solid ground” due to both leaders’ previous engagements.
“If President Biden is reelected, then we have a fairly solid ground to base our positions on because we have already spoken with him,” Marcos pointed out.
Signed on August 30, 1951, the MDT states that both nations would support each other if an external party attacked either one of them.
Story at: Marcos says ‘ironclad’ US-PH defense pact beyond politics (inquirer.net)
PNP to see if ex-Pres. Duterte’s camp may be held liable for sedition | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday that it will study whether or not former speaker and Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez’ call for the withdrawal of support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may be considered a “seditious statement.”
In a phone patch interview, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they would look into Alvarez’s remarks.
“Pag-aaralan po natin yan ng ating legal officers ang concerned agencies if those statements will be considered as seditious statement. Pero for now po, hindi po tayo muna hahantong sa ganyang usapin,” Fajardo told reporters.
(Our legal officers will study the agencies concerned… if those statements will be considered seditious. But for now, we will not reach that kind of conversation.)
During a rally held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Sunday evening, former President Rodrigo Duterte and his camp expressed their opposition to the government’s ongoing push for the Charter change and how the Marcos administration handles the country’s affairs.
Full Story at: PNP to see if ex-Pres. Duterte’s camp can be held liable for sedition (inquirer.net)
‘Verbal, unrecorded, informal deal with China unconstitutional’ | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Agreements made by Philippine leaders that are verbal, unrecorded and informal are unconstitutional, according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.
“Let’s discourage that as a matter of government policy or state policy. Let’s discourage the leaders, even if you’re an architect of foreign policy, from entering into verbal, unrecorded and informal agreements,” Pimentel told radio dzBB yesterday.
“If you intend to enter (into such an agreement), it’s void because it’s contrary to public policy. I think that’s unconstitutional, that’s against the Constitution,” he added.
President Marcos can meet with former president Rodrigo Duterte to discuss issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Pimentel noted.
The mechanism of a possible meeting between an incumbent president, former presidents and ranking officers of the legislative branch and Cabinet secretaries is provided under the setup of the National Security Council (NSC), the principal advisory body coordinating and integrating plans and policies affecting national security, he said.
Pimentel recalled that Duterte, at a press conference, indicated his intention to entertain Marcos and said “You (Marcos) can call me.”
At an April 11 press conference, Duterte admitted that in his reported “gentleman’s agreement” with China, he agreed not to have repairs done to the BRP Sierra Madre, which is marooned in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte said what he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping was a “handshake” sealing their agreement to maintain a status quo in the West Philippine Sea, or “as is, where is.”
He stressed that he did not concede anything to China.
Meanwhile, Pimentel described as “step one” Senate Resolution 82 filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, which pushes for a Senate inquiry into Duterte’s supposed agreement with Xi.
“We are in step one. Who is the source of the information? Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Let’s invite him first,” Pimentel said.
“I think the legislative branch can investigate (Duterte and Xi’s agreement) to find out what happened or officially happened. But just now based on Duterte’s explanation, I think I know that it was an exchange, it seems that this is only a personal level agreement,” he added.
Full Story at: ‘Verbal, unrecorded, informal deal with China unconstitutional’ | Philstar.com
Philippines, United States eye more joint patrols in South China Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The United States and the Philippines discussed increasing the frequency of combined maritime activities and joint patrols to support the Philippines’ lawful exercise of its rights in the South China Sea, the US Department of Defense said.
A readout of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III’s meeting with President Marcos said they discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral planning and operational cooperation.
Marcos and Austin also agreed to accelerate a number of bilateral initiatives to enhance information-sharing, interoperability and capability enhancements for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
They applauded the April 7 maritime cooperative activity within the Philippine exclusive economic zone with Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the US, an example of the ways the two countries are working more closely with like-minded nations to strengthen shared principles, including the rule of law, freedom of the seas, and respect for territorial sovereignty.
Austin reaffirmed US support of the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and he reiterated that the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries’ armed forces, public vessels and aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.
Full Story at: Philippines, United States eye more joint patrols in South China Sea | Philstar.com
