Philippines:Aquino to PRC "committed towards peace in Asia-Pacific" with help from the USN

by Michael Cohen January 31, 2012

A day after a Communist party of China's own newspaper the "China Daily" called for sanctions versus the Philippines for a announcement on continued ties with the USA .

Another article comes forward saying the Philippines is sending mixed signals on issues.

Quoting ministry of foreign affairs officials of the PRC as well as a supposed expert from a Chinese university that attempted to educate the Philippines on the extent of the US commitment to the regions security. " Wang Junsheng, an expert on Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences -according to the China Daily -called the Philippine position a "move sends a very dangerous signal that could cause China to misjudge the US' intentions, and raise suspicions between the two countries,

Wang then went on to point out ."The US released its military budget last week, which indicated that $6 billion would be cut next year, reducing its ground forces by 100,000 troops,"

But the Analyst Wang failed to mention clear US statements that No reductions have been made in the Pacific - in fact the US is rapidly along with Japan and Korea upgrading its facilities in Korea, Guam, and has new access agreements to a former Soviet and US Naval base in Vietnam at Cham Ran Bay .

Unfortunately Wang and NOT the Philippines - Wang gets a "clear but wrong" message perhaps his failure to understand decades of ties and agreements between the USA and America's "Oldest and closest ally in Asia" its former Commonwealth the Philippines. Where the largest expatriate community in the region of American citizens live - and - some of whom are residents of the very province where the islands China erroneously claims as its own even if they are a thousand kilometers away.

The article claims "a confrontation with China on the South China Sea," Wang also added "that it might complicate the current situation in the area. the article went on to warn the Philippines - and the United States versus that.

China's statements come on the heels of visits from members of the US House and Senate and pronouncement's in Washington of US support for the "Freedom of navigation,' to clarify further China's CCP's China Daily newspaper's statements the Philippine government issued a clear message below.

Palace says PHL remains committed towards peaceful Asia-Pacific region

The Philippines remains committed in ensuring peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region in the midst of a stronger military cooperation with the United States.

“From our point of view we continue to be committed to ensuring peace and stability in the region. And again in connection to whatever disputes that we may have our commitment remains firm that we will pursue every diplomatic channel, avenue and recourse that we may be able to solve it peacefully,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the press conference in Malacanang on Monday.

Valte made this statement in reaction to a question whether China has something to worry about with regards to the Philippines’s commitment towards peace and stability in the region.

Valte said the Philippines will not compromise the peace in the region even as the country forges bilateral relations with other countries.

On Sunday, China’s state media said the Chinese government should impose “sanctions” against the Philippines after the latter offered to allow more US troops on its soil. The statement came in the midst of growing tensions over the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

But Valte reiterated that dispute on the West Philippine Sea is a small facet of the good relationship between China and the Philippines. She said the Philippines has been pursuing several other relationships with China such as tourism and trade which was bolstered by President Aquino’s visit there last year.

The President’s spokesperson also reiterated that the discussion on the expanded presence of the US in the region is something that is still in the early stages of talks.

“Nothing is final yet. We have expressed several initiatives mainly on how to assist us to boost our defense capabilities. Again, as we stated earlier, we really do need to catch up with our neighbors when it comes to our defense capabilities,” she said.

China, Philippines, and Vietnam, have rival claims to parts of the West Philippine Sea, an area located in the world’s most important shipping lanes and believed to hold vast deposits of fossil fuel. Other claimants to the disputed Spratly Islands include Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

Last year, the Philippines and Vietnam complained on what they said were increasingly aggressive acts by China in the decades-long rift.