Senator: US military presence will keep China in check
-A A +AWednesday, May 4, 2011
SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday that US military presence in the country can help keep China's claim over the entire South China Sea in check.
He said that since the Philippine military is not strong enough to protect against foreign threats, having American soldiers in the Philippines can act as a deterrent against attacks.
Last month, the Philippines filed a formal protest against a map that China submitted to the United Nations in 2009, claiming the entire South China Sea as their territory.
In March, the Philippine government also lodged a protest with China after Chinese patrol boats allegedly harassed a Philippine oil exploration ship near Palawan.
The Philippine Coast Guard sent patrol ships to secure the oil exploration boat.
"It's frightening. It's like they're bullying us," Zubiri said.
He added that American presence in the Philippines benefits the Armed Forces of the Philippines because it can get equipment and training from US military advisers. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)
Local news
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