foreign policy of the philippines

Bam: Senate to review gov’t foreign policy

The Senate will soon conduct a review of the government’s foreign policy to clarify the direction it wants to take in terms of international relations, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

Sen. Bam said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, expressed willingness to conduct a hearing on the matter.

“There was openness on the part of Sen. Cayetano to have the hearing, so I hope he will schedule it soon,” said Sen. Bam, who filed a Senate Resolution No. 158, urging the government to clarify the country’s stand on different foreign policy issue.

Sen. Bam stressed the urgency to conduct an investigation amid President Duterte’s threat to end the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“Mahalagang malinawan tayo kung anong direksiyon ba ang nais tahakin ng pamahalaan pagdating sa foreign policy,” said Sen. Bam.

Aside from the EDCA issues, government officials also issued contradicting statements on different foreign policy issues, such as joint maritime patrols and the stationed American troops in Mindanao.

“I hope we can clear up these statements soon so that our strategies to protect our territory and develop our economy are aligned with the administration,” Sen. Bam stressed.

As provided in Article 2, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, Sen. Bam said a clear strategic foreign policy is integral to the country’s development.

“Our relations with members of the international community have bearing on our ability to protect our territory and environment, develop our economy, and promote the welfare and well-being of our citizens,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Bam urges gov’t to clarify foreign policy direction

A senator wants the government to clarify the foreign policy direction that it plans to take, given the variety of statements issued by President Duterte and other administration officials.

 Sen. Bam Aquino said he will file a resolution to clarify the matter so that national interest will not be compromised.

 “Kailangan natin malaman kung ano ba talaga ang foreign policy ng administrasyon, particularly with regard to the US,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam saw this need for clarification after President Duterte reportedly said in a speech before newly appointed civil servants last September 12, that American troops must leave Mindanao.

On the contrary, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella maintained President Duterte’s statement was not official policy and that American troops will remain in Mindanao.

On September 13, President Duterte also announced that the Philippines would no longer engage in joint maritime patrols with the US in order to avoid hostilities.

But in September 15, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay was reported to say that the joint patrols with the US will continue, “because this is our commitment to the United States.”

In addition, President Duterte reportedly mentioned that the Philippines is considering the procurement of military equipment from Russia and China.

But Abella later cleared this up when he said that the government would continue to honor its present agreements with the United States.

 “Given recent conflicting statements from the President and government representatives, there is a need to clarify government’s approach to foreign relations and ensure a clear and coherent foreign policy towards ensuring our national interest,” Sen. Bam said.

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