Obama backs Philippines on sea freedom

Agence France-Presse

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(UPDATED) The US President pledges support for PH efforts to upgrade its military and build a 'minimum credible defense posture'

URGING PEACE. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and US President Barack Obama discuss their hopes for a peaceful resolution of South China Sea tensions. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP

(UPDATED) WASHINGTON, United States of America — The United States and the Philippines on Saturday, June 9, called for freedom of navigation in the tense South China Sea as the White House offered a robust show of support for Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.

US President Barack Obama welcomed Aquino to the White House in the latest high-profile gesture to put a focus on US ties to Asia, where a number of countries are embroiled in territorial conflicts with a rising China.

Addressing reporters next to Aquino in the Oval Office, Obama said the two leaders spoke about “trying to make sure that we have a strong set of international norms and rules governing maritime disputes in the region.”

Aquino, for his part, thanked the US for its support throughout the two countries’ “shared history.”

“Today’s meeting has really even deepened and strengthened the very long relationship we’ve had, especially as we face the challenges that are before both our countries in the current situation,” he said. (Watch more in the video below courtesy of the White House)

In a joint statement released afterward, Obama also pledged US support for Aquino’s efforts to upgrade the notoriously antiquated Philippine military and build a “minimum credible defense posture.”  

The US has stepped up military aid, including last year delivering a decommissioned coast guard cutter — which the Philippines rechristened the Gregorio del Pilar and replaced a World War II-era vessel as its navy’s biggest ship.

In the statement, the two leaders “underscored the importance of the principles of ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and unimpeded lawful commerce.”

Aquino and Obama called for diplomacy to resolve territorial disputes “without coercion or the use of force.”

After his meeting with Obama, Aquino went to Los Angeles for other official activities like a meeting with American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez, who is of Filipino descent.

Closely watched

China claims virtually all of the South China Sea up to Southeast Asian nations’ shores, and tensions have soared in recent years with both the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Philippines and China recently pulled back vessels after a standoff over the Scarborough Shoal, which lies near the main Philippine island of Luzon.

Aquino’s visit to the United States was closely watched in China, where some policymakers suspect — despite official US denials — that the United States is seeking to encircle the growing Asian power.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, toasting Aquino earlier Saturday at a luncheon in his honor, credited Aquino with defusing tensions over the rock formation.

The United States and the Philippines signed agreements to step up cooperation on science and technology and to boost the number of Peace Corps volunteers in the former US colony. (Read: US to help build PH Coast Watch.)

Symbolic visit

But Aquino’s visit was largely symbolic, with many US policymakers believing that the son of democracy heroine Corazon Aquino has revitalized an often overlooked relationship by tackling hard issues.

Aquino recently won a major battle in his campaign against corruption with the sacking of the country’s top judge. Aquino has also agreed to let more US troops rotate — but not be based — in the Philippines despite the historical baggage.

“I’ve always found President Aquino to be a thoughtful and very helpful partner,” Obama said.

Aquino said his meeting with Obama has “deepened and strengthened a very long relationship we have, especially as we face the challenges that are before both our countries in the current situation.”

Clinton and Obama both voiced support for efforts by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to reach a code of conduct with China on managing disputes in the South China Sea, through which half of the world’s trade flows.

Asean and China agreed in 2002 to negotiate a code of conduct. But there has been little progress, with a rising China preferring to negotiate with each country individually instead of dealing with the unified bloc.

The Obama administration has focused on building relations in Asia. In the next week alone, the United States will separately welcome the foreign ministers of Cambodia, India, South Korea, and Thailand. — with reports from Rappler.com/Agence France-Presse

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