PHNO-HL: ENRILE: GOVT MUST STRENGTHEN MILITARY TO DEFEND SPRATLYS


ENRILE: GOVT MUST STRENGTHEN MILITARY TO DEFEND SPRATLYS

MANILA, APRIL 18, 2011 (BULLETIN) By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile Monday emphasized the need for the government to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to thwart aggressive actions by neighboring Asian nations claiming territorial authority over the Spratly Islands.
Enrile lamented that the country continues to lag behind China, Vietnam and Malaysia in developing sufficient defenses in the contested islets and shoals for lack of modern equipment and weaponry.
"Wala tayong armas eh. Kaya nga dapat tanungin natin: ganyan na lang ba tayo? Ayaw ba natin bigyan ng lakas ang ating sandatahan lakas ng Pilipinas para maipagtanggol natin ang ating mga interes? (We don't have weapons. That is why it is high time to ask: are we contented to let this be? Don't we want to strengthen our Armed Forces so we could protect our nation's interest?" Enrile asked in an interview over Radio DZBB.
Earlier Malacanang said it is supporting Chinese President Hu Jintao's call to peacefully resolve territorial claims over the disputed islands.
Aside from China and the Philippines, other countries asserting ownership of the islands include Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
But Enrile said in the game of nations, only nations who have a powerful military stand the chance to pursue their claim over the contested islands.
"In the game of nations, in the end, it's still a question of power," Enrile said.
The only way the government can reiterate its claim over the Spratly islands is through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) which allows the Philippines to extend its economic zone outward from its baselines by 200 miles.
"Apart from that we have a rightful claim over those islands. We are the nearest country. Now, China is saying they have sovereignty over those islands. Then why don't they include Palawan, or claim the Philippines for that matter?" Enrile said


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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