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A former US envoy to the Philippines on Wednesday urged Manila to develop coherence in its diplomatic and political ties with Washington.
“I have to tell my friends in the Philippines who I adore to be careful. He has been ambivalent about how he addresses his defense relations with the United States and his international commitments and policies towards China, “Ambassador Frank Wisner said in an online forum on” The South China Sea: Geopolitical and environmental crisis. “organized by I (x) Investments and co-sponsored by the Philippines Foundation.
Wisner said there is a lesson to be learned in dealing with China, as he recalled that former President Gloria Arroyo did “graceful footwork in Beijing” but was unsuccessful. He did not elaborate.
Right now, Wisner said the most important agenda is to give high priority to military and security cooperation between the two countries. “We need stability between Washington and Manila if we are to send a consistent signal to our friends in China,” he said.
Wisner said the United States and its allies must send a clear message to China that they are taking a multilateral approach on the issue of the South China Sea (Western Philippine Sea) while at the same time building an alliance of nations in the region. to ensure a strong partnership.
“We need a stable basis for the treaty. And it is not convenient to go in and out of security ties with the Philippines to send a constant signal, ”he said.
Although the United States is thousands of kilometers from the South China Sea, Wisner said it is a direct part of the area because of the defense treaty agreements with the Philippines. “It is not just a super-global balance of power, but it is a problem if the United States does not meet its obligations under the treaty agreements,” he said.
Wisner said he hopes that a new administration after the US presidential election on November 3 will come up with a new policy and strategies for dealing with China that will allow the United States to tackle the whole problem and set benchmarks.
For now, Wisner said he favors unconditional protection of the status quo and tells “China that we do not accept Chinese sovereignty.” He said the United States will also insist on the right of way and that the right of overflight must continue.
He added that the United States also wants to preserve the internationalization of the South China Sea. “We need to involve other allies in pursuit of the target,” he said.
