External threats to PH

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler talked to *Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Philippines faces two threats from the outside: China’s aggression in the South China Sea, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.

The Philippines, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Brunei all have overlapping claims to parts of the oil-rich South China Sea. China claims the largest stake, using its ‘nine-dash line’ to claim areas a few hundred miles south and east of its southernmost province. (READ: China slams PH ‘hype’ over West PH Sea)

The dispute between China and the Philippines intensified the past year, with Manila accusing Beijing of harassing and firing water cannons at Filipino fishermen. Last April 27, the Philippines and the US signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which would allow American troops increased access to Philippine military bases. A legislator supporting the deal calls it the Philippines’ “security blanket” against growing Chinese aggression. (READ: DOCUMENT: Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement)

Apart from security and defense, the Philippines is also under threat from the MERS outbreak sweeping across the Middle East. Last April 16, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the first laboratory-confirmed case of the MERS coronavirus infection in the Philippines. (READ: DOH announces first case of MERS virus infection in PH)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been 254 laboratory-confirmed cases since September 2012. The virus has killed at least 93 people, including a Filipina nurse who died in Riyadh in 2013. The disease continues to pose a threat to the public, especially to overseas Filipino workers.  (READ: Ona on MERS: Nat’l ID system needed to track victims faster)

Jose talked to Rappler about how the Philippine government will deal with these issues. Watch the interview below.

  – Rappler.com

*Editor’s Note: Earlier we identified Assistant Secretary Charles Jose as an Undersecretary. This has been corrected in this version.