Robredo, Trillanes agree: Boost military, int’l ties while awaiting UN verdict

At least two vice presidential candidates agreed that the Philippines should maximize the time while waiting for the decision of the United Nations tribunal on its claims against China over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

During the first and only vice presidential debate at the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo underscored the importance of continuously modernizing the military and strengthening ties with allied countries.

The two answered the question from CNN senior international correspondent Ivan Watson, who asked how would their future administration deal with China and the competing claims to the Spratly Islands.

“Sang-ayon sa ginagawa ng gobyerno, pero habang sana naghihintay tayo ng desisyon, dapat marami pang ginagawa,” Robredo said.

“Habang naghihintay sa arbitration, dapat i-modernize natin ang military natin. Organisahin natin ang ibang claimants. Lahat ng peaceful means hanapin natin, pati multilateral means,” she added.

(I agree with what the government is doing, but while we are waiting for the decision, we must also do something.

While waiting for the arbitration, we must modernize our military. We must organize the other claimants. We will pursue all peaceful means, including multilateral means.)

The administration vice presidential bet and widow of the late Interior secretary Jesse Robredo said the country should continue to explore peaceful means in addressing the sea disputes, but reiterated her opposition to bilateral talks.

“Mas magiging malakas ang claim natin kapag kabahagi na natin ang ibang bansa (Our claim would be stronger is we work with other countries),” Robredo added.

While Echoing Robredo, Trillanes admitted that modernization of the military may be expensive and may take time, adding that the Philippines should strengthen its international relations while not jeopardizing relations with China.

“We need to stand on our two feet and and defend ourselves… In the mean time na nagmo-modernize tayo, kailangan nating paigitingin ang ating alyansa (while we are modernizing, we must intensify our alliances),” he said.

“Kailangan hindi hostile ang ating relationship sa China (Relations with China must not be hostile),” Trillanes added.

The soldier-turned-senator served as back-channel negotiator for the Philippines with China over the Scarborough standoff. CDG

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