Solon eyes defined PH territory
SENATOR Francis N. Tolentino is pushing for a clearer definition of the Philippine territory under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.
In an interview with radio DZBB, Tolentino suggested the inclusion of territories where the Philippine government currently exercises ‘sovereign rights.’
“Kung ako po ang mag a-amendya nito… hindi lamang sa metropolitan territory, sa land mass island territory (ng Pilipinas) sa Pacific Ocean, mayroon pang iba. Kung liliwanagin po iyan, pwede pong idagdag: where it exercises sovereign rights,” Tolentino, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said.
Tolentino made the remarks in connection as President Ferdinand R. Marcos meets with United States President Joe Biden wherein, defense, security, and other geopolitical matters are expected to be discussed by the two leaders.
The senator suggested a new provision in which, “any attack on a place where it exercises sovereign rights (for both parties) would trigger MDT.”
“Yung where effects on the exercise of sovereign rights, puwede siguro pag-usapan para maliwanag na kapag inatake tayo sa ating exclusive economic zone, ay pasok na pasok sa Mutual Defense Treaty as amended,” the lawmaker added.
Considering the current geopolitical tension of claimant countries in the South China Sea region, particularly in the disputed territories located in the West Philippine Sea, Tolentino stressed that the mere presence of the American military in the region is already “a psychological reinforcement itself of our historical ties with the United States.
“Malaking bagay po iyon na alam natin na-andyan sila. So sa halip na gumatos po tayo ng malaki para ma improve yung sandatahang lakas, mayroon tayong kaalyado na handang tumulong,” he said.
Tolentino also suggested for the Philippine government to seek an upgraded compensation, not only under the MDT but also with other existing treaties with the world’s ‘super power,’ specifically the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the recently expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which will be given to local government units (LGUs) that will be hosting those non-permanent U.S. bases in the country.
