DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin believes that the presence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region is a “deterrent” to any unlawful activity in the Spratly Islands.
“US presence in the region is certainly a deterrent but I don’t think it will be part of the resolution [of the dispute],” Gazmin told reporters in a press briefing on Tuesday at the defense department in Camp Aguinaldo.
Gazmin arrived on Monday from a security summit in Singapore, where the Spratlys issue was raised among claimant-countries because of the recent incursions of Chinese military vessels.
During the security summit on Sunday held in Singapore, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Gunglie told defense ministers of the Asia-Pacific region that his country is “for a peaceful resolution” amid warnings by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates that a failure of the claimant-countries to have a common understanding of the disputed area could result in military action.
Gazmin said the summit is a venue for defense ministers to engage in meaningful consultations and conversation on key global and regional issues that enabled defense leaders to explain national defense and security policies aimed at building confidence and mutual trust among defense and military establishments in the Asia-Pacific region.
The venue also served as a platform for innovative policy proposals and cooperative activities in the areas of counterterrorism, maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among others.
Meanwhile, Gazmin urged China to honor its commitment to peace as all other claimant-countries are “collectively in agreement” that peace and stability in the disputed Spratlys be maintained.
“The international community has spoken and witness to this commitment. Now we will see if they [Chinese] are true to their word. Any actions contrary to this commitment they will lose face in the international community and I think they wouldn’t want to do that,” Gazmin told reporters.
“While we hope that this will come into reality, General Liang said their military buildup is not intended as a threat for any country,” he added.
“The future will tell us if they are committed to what they have told the world. General Liang specifically stated that aggression or threat to other countries is not an option to them, they are for peaceful resolution. Remember, that statement was made on Sunday, the incursions was before. Now we have a baseline and anything that happens now, from now on, is a clear violation of what he said,” he added.
At least six to seven incursions of Chinese warships have been recorded by Philippine authorities from February to May this year.
Gazmin said during the summit Liang had “no time” to talk with him to discuss about the recent developments in the Spratlys. But he said he was able to communicate with other defense ministers, such as those from Vietnam and Malasyia.
“All the ministers that I have talked to will always say there should be peaceful resolution and not to disturb peace in the area,” he said.
Gazmin said he was trying to get a bilateral meeting with Liang for “reciprocity” but he did not say exactly when.
On May 21 and 24, Chinese ships unloaded construction materials, erected concrete posts and placed a buoy at the Amy Douglas Bank in the Spratlys.
