FILE PHOTO: Members of Pamalakaya stage a seaside protest in Zambales on June 12, 2021, against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. (File photo from the Twitter account of Pamalakaya)
MANILA, Philippines — A fishers’ group rejected on Tuesday further construction of United States (US) military bases in the Philippines and accused Vice President Kamala Harris of aiming to anger China with her visit.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the US is looking into building Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement facilities in five more locations throughout the archipelago. These additional sites are seen to bolster security cooperation between the two countries and provide extra protection for the Philippines.
“We urge VP Kamala Harris not to capitalize the plight of Filipino fisherfolk to justify the construction of more military bases in Palawan, in addition to the existing US naval station in Oyster Bay,” the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a statement.
“VP Harris is not here to talk peace, but to provoke China and push them to become more aggressive and hostile in the West Philippine Sea, at the further expense of the fishing security of Filipinos,” it also claimed.
US Vice President Kamala Harris was on a state visit to the Philippines. She arrived on Sunday, November 20, and met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the next day in Malacañan Palace.
Earlier Tuesday, Harris proceeded to Palawan – an island province adjacent to the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea – where the Philippine Coast Guard is set to brief her on border patrols and security. She is anticipated to likewise talk about climate change affecting fisherfolk while in Palawan.
READ: China: US interactions must not be ‘damaging’ to other nations’ interests
Pamalakaya then called on Marcos to stop being “neutral in the guise of his foreign policy of being ‘friends to all and enemy to none,’ which is essentially being subservient to China and the US, and virtually making the Philippines a target for all.”
The group said the country must pursue an independent foreign policy that is “based on mutual respects and recognition of sovereign rights.” — Joshua Go, trainee
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