SEN. Gregorio Honasan called for a “cease-fire” among feuding political factions amid rising regional tension over increasing incidents of Chinese intrusions in the West Philippine Sea territories to enable incumbent and former leaders of the country to firm up a national consensus on dealing with the Spratlys issue.
“Kailangan cease-fire muna,” Honasan said in a radio interview on Sunday, referring to renewed sniping from opposition Lakas-Kampi-CMD leaders, led by former President now Rep. Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga, against the administration of President Aquino.
“Let us wait for Malacañang’s initiative first, and avoid heckling remarks like ‘nobody home,’ which is counterproductive.”
He added that said such a cessation of political hostilities is “normally initiated by the incumbent, with former national leaders serving as mediators.”
Honasan endorsed an earlier proposal by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile for Mr. Aquino to convene the National Security Council (NSC) but suggested that the Palace also tap the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council to “determine the national interests that must be quickly addressed by our highest leaders.”
“We need to enlist the support not just of the present but also past leaders of the country to help draw up our national priorities…so that a solution could be arrived at soonest by the incumbent administration,” Honasan said, adding, “dito masusukat ang love of country ng ating mga leaders.”
He pointed out that nothing prevents incumbent officials from consulting with other current and former leaders to find an early solution to the Spratlys problem, a process that is provided in the NSC, which includes former Presidents, as well as current leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He, however, added that Malacañang should first rely on its “frontline” agencies, including the departments of Foreign Affairs and National Defense, and the National Economic and Development Authority to firm up a national position, for instance, on proposals for “joint use-joint exploration” options as a potential compromise to end the conflict over disputed territories being claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and China.
“There are many other ways to solve the problem peacefully para makinabang ang lahat,” he said.
At the same time, Honasan said the Aquino administration should ask the United States to clarify its commitment to aid the Philippines in beefing up its external defense capability. “Papaano, kailan at magkano? That needs to be clarified,” he said. Saying “talk is cheap,” Honasan aired the view that the Philippines might be getting the short end of the bargain. “Parang binabarat tayo,” he said, pointing out that Pakistan, which was suspected to have harbored international terrorist Osama bin Laden for years, received $50 million, while a long-time US ally like the Philippines received a pledge of only $20 million.
“This is despite the fact that we have a Visiting Forces Agreement [VFA] and a Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, parang lugi at binabarat tayo.”
Honasan proposed that the Aquino administration explores the possibility of forging separate VFAs with Vietnam, China and other Asian neighbors “under an enlightened self-interest.”
He pointed out that such a VFA would likely be welcomed by Asian neighbors given the Philippines’ strategic location as the gateway to the region. “Para tayong stoplight.”
