Tolentino to China: PH has right to conduct military drills with US

AMPHIBIOUS RAID EXERCISE. Philippine and US forces hold amphibious raid exercises at the beachhead of Barangay Samariñana in Brooke’s Point, Palawan on April 14, 2023 as part of the “Balikatan” exercises. Senator Francis Tolentino said Thursday (April 18, 2024) that the Philippines has the right to conduct joint military exercises with other countries in its sovereign territory. (Photo: Naval Forces West/Facebook)

MANILA – Senator Francis Tolentino on Thursday reminded the Chinese government that the Philippines has all the right to engage in joint military exercises with other countries within its sovereign territory.

The lawmaker issued the statement after China’s foreign ministry warned the Philippine government that bringing in other countries “to show off their force” in the South China Sea and provoke confrontation would worsen tensions in the area.

In a Zoom interview, Tolentino emphasized that the Philippines’ actions, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is “valid under the international law.”

“Wala silang magagawa dun. Karapatan po natin yun. Pwede rin naman silang magkaroon ng sarili nilang military exercises sa lugar nila (They can’t do anything about it. It is our right. They can also have their own military exercises in their territory) with their allies,” he said.

The lawmaker, who chairs the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, explained that China has the right to be annoyed, while the Philippines has also “the right to protect its sovereignty.”

“Papayag ba tayo na i-bully na lang, pagalitan na lang bilang isang bansa? Ang tingin ko, tama yung ginagawa ng kasalukuyang administrasyon lalong-lalo na kung ito’y naglalayon na pagtibayin yung ating national security at ng ating dignidad bilang isang bansa (Should we just let them bully us, reprimand us as a country? I think, the present administration is doing the right thing, especially if it seeks to strengthen our national security and dignity as a country),” Tolentino said.

He also noted that after the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US was signed in 1951, Balikatan exercises already commenced as early as the 1980s.

This year’s Balikatan exercises will be conducted from April 22 to May 10, involving close to 17,000 Philippine and US forces. This year’s exercises will also be the first time that the Philippine Coast Guard will take part in military exercises.

Assuming that China was likewise annoyed by the meeting of President Marcos with President Joe Biden, Tolentino pointed out that the two leaders “did not only discuss military and defense, but also other matters like energy and other economic opportunities.”