A local resident walks past a tank of pro-Russian troops during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV is supporting Vice President Leni Robredo in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying the Philippines should make a stand and “always ally itself with what is right.”
“Parati tayong kumakampi sa tama, doon sa naninindigan para sa demokrasya,” said Trillanes in a DZRH interview held recently.
(We always side with what’s right, those who stand for democracy.)
“Yung ginagawa po ng Russia ay mali po iyan. Nag-invade sila ng isang sovereign country, kaya dapat pigilan ‘yan. Dahil kapag hindi, sunod-sunod ‘yan,” he added.
(What Russia is doing is wrong. They invaded a sovereign country, so that must be stopped. Because if not, it will happen again.)
Robredo earlier condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it was important to make a stand against “unprovoked aggression.”
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Putin amassed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders and unleashed a full-scale invasion that had killed dozens of people and forced more than 50,000 to flee Ukraine in just 48 hours, sparking fears of a wider conflict not just in Europe but the whole world.
Robredo can handle national security issues
Trillanes also warned critics not to underestimate Robredo’s capacity in dealing with national security matters amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the row between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.
He noted her “sense of control” and “stability under pressure” which will allow her tackle any issues involving national security, if elected president in the May 9 elections.
“Marami lang nag-underestimate dahil binibining Filipina siya kung kumilos, pero matibay po ang kalooban ni VP Leni,” said Trillanes in a DZRH interview held recently.
(Many just underestimate her because she acts like a “binibining” Filipina, but VP Leni is strong.)
“We can trust her na kaya niya ang mga [anumang national security na] sitwasyon,” he added.
(We can trust her that she can handle any national security situation.)
Robredo is also not afraid to make informed decisions, Trillanes further said, and can navigate the complicated waters of foreign policy and come up with the most ideal position for the country, adding that she knows how to listen to different advisers and different points of view.
“Merong stability under pressure si VP Leni (VP Leni has stability under pressure),” said Trillanes.
Meanwhile, in a separate media interview, Trillanes said Robredo is the kind of commander-in-chief that the country needs citing her “sense of control” over events and circumstances which gives her “the ability to focus on the right things in the right way.”
Earlier, Robredo’s camp revealed that there will be a shift from a “land-centric” armed forces into a maritime power, or “at least a modicum of a maritime nation” — which will provide a huge impact on how the country treats its territorial waters, threatened by China’s expansionism.
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