MANILA — The United States will continue to stand by the Philippines as it confronts China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, Manila’s top envoy to Washington said Tuesday, even as U.S. and Chinese leaders pursue direct talks to ease tensions.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez welcomed renewed U.S.-China discussions and suggested that Manila should also work to “fine-tune” relations with Beijing to encourage trade and cooperation.
Romualdez, however, stressed that the Philippines will remain firm in defending its territorial claims in the South China Sea, an area Beijing asserts nearly in its entirety.
“As assurances are being made to us, that’s absolutely not true [that the Philippines will be sidelined],” Romualdez told a news conference in Manila, responding to concerns that closer U.S.-China engagement could marginalize Manila. He added that U.S.-Philippine defense cooperation is expanding further.
The United States and the Philippines, Washington’s oldest treaty ally in Asia, have been outspoken critics of China’s growing maritime assertiveness. In recent years, Chinese forces have used powerful water cannons, flares, and aggressive blocking maneuvers against Filipino personnel at sea and in the air.
The U.S. has repeatedly stated that it is obligated to defend the Philippines if its forces are attacked. Neighboring claimants including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have also been involved in disputes but have largely avoided directly condemning China’s actions.
Romualdez noted, however, that Philippine officials are attentive to U.S.-China rapprochement, particularly with former President Donald Trump planning a visit to China in April, which could be followed by a reciprocal visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Some people are asking, ‘Is there going to be a deal where we’re going to be thrown under the bus?’” Romualdez said.
He added that Congress is working on significant funding to support the modernization of the Philippine military, and that he is scheduled to visit the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii in April to discuss upcoming defense activities.
Last year, about 9,000 U.S. troops and 5,000 Filipino soldiers participated in one of the largest joint combat drills in recent years. The exercises included live-fire drills where combined forces shot down drones simulating hostile aircraft near Philippine provinces facing the South China Sea. China criticized these drills as provocative.
While reaffirming defense commitments, Romualdez emphasized that the Philippines also seeks to improve its relationship with China, particularly in non-contentious areas such as climate change, manufacturing, and alternative energy.
“There is only one thing that’s permanent in this world, and that’s change,” Romualdez said. “We cannot stay stuck in one place.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
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