Tighter relations deterring friction

The defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States that has grown more cohesive is an “effective” deterrent to a conflict in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a political analyst said on Saturday.

Satellite images obtained by news outfit Reuters showed that China deployed two long-range H-6 bombers this week near the hotly contested Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

On Friday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Filipino military and defense officials at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, De La Salle University professor Renato de Castro said the deployment of two Chinese bombers was proof that the efforts to beef up the military partnership between the Philippines and the US were effective.

De Castro said it was not surprising that China deployed its bombers in time for Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines.

“The fact that China is reacting means it is effective. It has been affected. It is not just afraid, it is really angry because we are making them afraid. Whether it is afraid or not, that’s not our business,” he said.

“When it comes to national defense, this is really a sovereign act,” De Castro added.

China twits U.S.

“Let me stress that freedom of navigation and overflight has never had any problem in the South China Sea,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.

He accused the US of abetting provocations of its allies, falsely calling China a “threat,” and continuing the deployment of military resources in the South China Sea to “undermine peace and stability.”

“The US needs to get rid of its Cold War mentality, stop creating ideological confrontation, stop sowing tension in the region and discord between the countries, and stop being the disrupter and provocateur in the South China Sea,” he said.

Guo urged Manila to stop creating instability with the support of Washington.

“We also call on the Philippines to stop creating instability with US backing, still less seek military confrontation,” he said.