“We’re not trying to dictate with whom the Philippines should have strong relations with. Our only concern is that we want to maintain our strong relationship with the Philippines.”
Ito ang sinabi kahapon ng tagapagsalita ng US Department of State, sinabing sa kabila ng hindi magagandang komento ni Pangulong Duterte ay nananatiling “very strong and very vital” ang ugnayan ng Amerika at Pilipinas.
Sa press briefing sa Washington DC, sinabi ni US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner na “America’s relationship, or partnership, with the Philippines is long and it’s been based on a mutual foundation of shared values, and that includes our shared belief in human rights and human dignity.”
“Our people-to-people ties remain strong, our security and military ties remain strong. Our economic ties remain strong. And so, while there is this—there is these remarks occasionally being made, at the working level our relationship remains very strong and very vital,” dagdag ni Toner.
Magpinsang paslit nagkayayaang maligo sa lawa, nalunod
WAR GAMES MALAKING TULONG SA AFP
Samantala, sinabi naman ng isang pribadong think tank na hindi dapat na maliitin ang joint military exercises ng puwersang Pilipino at Amerikano.
Ayon sa ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi), ang military exercises ng Pilipinas at Amerika, gaya ng taunang Balikatan at PHIBLEX—na magsisimula ngayong buwan—ay hindi lamang mahalaga sa pagpapatatag ng ugnayan ng dalawang bansa at ng mga sandatahan nito, kundi maging sa pagpapahusay sa kakayahan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) laban sa anumang uri ng hamon.
“Military exercises range from those intended to improve maritime security, such as strengthening anti-piracy capabilities, to addressing internal concerns such as counter-terror and counter-insurgency capabilities,” saad sa pahayag ng ADRi.
“Moreover, the same exercises are used to improve the military’s ability to respond to humanitarian challenges during natural disasters, as well as conduct search-and-rescue operations,” dagdag pa.
Una nang inihayag ni Duterte na ang PHIBLEX ngayong taon ay huli nang military exercise ng Pilipinas at Amerika habang siya ang pangulo ng bansa. - Elena L. Aben
