📷 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner | GMA Network
IN what appears to be a sudden twist of fate, the Chinese bully is seemingly headed to become an underdog with a long list of countries offering the Philippines amid threats to national security, particularly on the issue of Chinese continued aggression at the West Philippine Sea.
At the sidelines of the 2024 IISS Shangri La Dialogue, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said that “a lot of countries have shown support and expressed willingness to help the Philippines amid the threats the country has been facing in the region.”
”A lot of countries who are here joining the Shangri-La Dialogue would like to have a bilateral meeting with us. We are happy about that because it only means to say that a lot of countries [are] interested in helping us with the situation. Not just interested to know what we think of the situation but really, they are offering us assistance, support,” Brawner told reporters shortly after meeting with foreign counterparts.
‘Even European countries are interested to come to the region and to assist us, to help us,” a seemingly surprised Brawner added.
When asked what type of support the Philippines stand to gain, he hinted at the possibility of joining joint exercises, training and operations – on top of the country’s capacity development.
In his keynote address, President Ferdinanbd Marcos Jr. called on the US and China to manage their rivalry to maintain peace and stability in the region.
”China’s determining influence over the security situation and the economic evolution of this region is permanent. At the same time, the stabilizing presence of America is crucial to regional peace. It’s never a choice. Both countries are important,” Marcos averred.
”The continued stability of this region requires China and the United States to manage that rivalry in a responsible manner,” the President further stressed, even as he cited the need for the Philippines to be more friendly but assertive.
Marcos stressed that the principles remain the same and that the Philippines promotes what is based on international law and rules-based order. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
