Ngày 24/6/2/11 tai Washington, các quan chức quốc phòng Mỹ đã lên tiếng đảm bảo sự trợ giúp của Mỹ nhằm tăng cwongf năng lực của Philippin trong việc đảm bảo lãnh hải của nước này, bao gồm các khu vực có tranh chấp ở quần đảo Trường Sa ở biển Đông mà Philippin gọi là biển Tây Philippin.
US vows to bolster PH maritime security
By Lazaro Y. Medina Jr., Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D.C.: US defense officials on Friday assured American aid to strengthen the Philippines’ capability in securing its maritime territory, including disputed areas of the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
The assurance was made during a series of meetings between visiting Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario with Pentagon officials led by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
On Friday, US National Director for Intelligence (NDI) James Clapper said Washington would enhance the NDI’s intelligence sharing with the Philippines to heighten Manila’s “maritime situational awareness and surveillance” in the West Philippine Sea.
Del Rosario said the Philippines prefers access to “newer U.S. military assets which the Philippines could acquire quicker but through a deliberate selection and, which hopefully, are more cost-effective.”
Pentagon officials said they would give priority to the Philippine request which would be discussed by military experts from both sides based on a checklist prepared by Manila.
Del Rosario said Manila wants to acquire radar and surveillance “assets”, including patrol vessels to secure the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea from foreign intrusions, especially several islands off Palawan actually occupied by civilians and military units.
The foreign secretary stressed that Manila’s shopping list of modern technology and equipment would complement the excess defense articles (EDA) which America traditionally turns over to the Philippines as part the yearly US foreign aid, which include military supplies.
“We would be happy to have our team look into the full range of [Philippine] requirements for maritime security,” US Defense Undersecretary for Policy Michelle Fluornoy told Del Rosario at a meeting at the Pentagon.
“We should not allow this perception that you are alone and we’re not behind you,” Fluornoy stressed.
For his part, Clapper emphasized that the US has a long history of strong association with the Philippines as a treaty ally.
“We’ll do whatever we can to help,” Clapper assured even as he expressed concern over recent incidents of Chinese intrusions in the West Philippine Sea.
A member of the Philippine delegation said Manila has monitored “at least nine” such intrusions into Philippine territorial waters, including the recent firing by a Chinese vessel on Filipino fishermen. Nobody was killed or wounded during the “direct fire” on the civilians who were fishing within territorial waters at the time.
The same official said both sides have agreed that the choices “will be deliberate and strategy-driven” so that delivery of the desired technology and equipment could be expedited.
Nguồn: The Manila Times,
http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/us-vows-to-bolster-ph-maritime-security/
