Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan training exercises (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman on Saturday said he is “uncomfortable” with the conduct of the annual Balikatan military training exercise between the Philippines and the United States, calling it “provocative.”
De Guzman said the Balikatan training exercises between two long-time allies may provoke China to become more aggressive in a bid to defend itself.
“Hindi ako komportable doon sa mga ginagawa kasi provocative sa sitwasyon ngayon sa pagitan ng Amerika at China, na may ongoing trade war sila at girian na lalong makakapagtulak sa China para lalong maging aggressive na ipuwesto ang kanyang sarili in defense sa kanyang bansa sanhi ng mga exercises na ito,” De Guzman said over SMNI presidential interview when asked his stand on the Balikatan exercises.
(I am not comfortable with what they are doing because it is provocative especially with the situation between America and China, which have an ongoing trade war and conflict, as it could lead China to become more aggressive in defense of its country because of these exercises.)
The labor leader previously said the Philippines should pursue an independent foreign policy, stressing that the country should not be a “pawn” in the US-China rivalry.
For this year, some 8,900 members of the Philippine and American military participate in the Balikatan military exercises from March 28 to April 8.