- Home
- Critics...
Critics warn foreign policy direction risky to PH
MANILA, Philippines — Some critics on Monday cited the country’s foreign policy under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the reason for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attention to the United States’ military deployment in the Philippines.
Putin, in a televised address on Friday, called for the resumption of his country’s missile production and raised the possible deployment of these weapons after noting that the United States had brought missiles to Denmark and the Philippines.
“Today, it is known that the United States not only produces these missile systems, but has already brought them to Europe for exercises, to Denmark. Quite recently, it was announced that they are in the Philippines,” said the Russian leader. His remarks were also reported by the Voice of America (VOA), the state-owned news network and international radio broadcaster of the United States.
READ: New US missile system ‘Typhon’ debuts in PH but fixed deployment unsure
Former lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate of the party list Bayan Muna said the government’s “US satellite-like foreign policy” under Mr. Marcos “has contributed to bringing the world to the brink of a renewed nuclear arms race.”
“We demand that the Marcos … administration abide by the constitutional edicts of pursuing an independent foreign policy and making the Philippines free of nuclear arms and foreign troops,” he said in a statement.
Bayan Muna warned that Marcos’ current foreign policy direction could make the Philippines a potential target for nuclear attacks from countries that are not necessarily enemies of the Filipino people.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said the country should never allow the deployment of missile systems by foreign military forces.
“The launch buttons for these foreign-owned and -controlled missile systems are not within our control, hence these foreigners decide when they want to turn the Philippines into a battlefield. It will be the Philippines which will be the battleground, not their own country/countries,” Pimentel, the Senate minority leader, said in a Viber message.
He said the fate of the Filipino people “should not be left to the hands of foreigners who may even be pursuing a capitalist-business, money-making agenda at the expense of the Filipino nation.”
‘Our own capacity’
Senate President Francis Escudero said the missiles Putin was referring to could probably be just part of the Philippines’ military exercises and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the United States.
“I don’t know about that, maybe it was just based on their own intel… Maybe these were just part of Edca or military exercises being held, and these would be taken or removed someday,” he told reporters.
“Russia should not have anything to do with our country having its own military capability, including a missile system. That is ours and other countries should not meddle,” he added.
“It’s a different matter when other countries deploy war equipment here. But if he (Putin) was referring to our own, other countries should not interfere because it is our right to have our own equipment to defend our country,” Escudero said further.
“If we would ask help from other nations, instead of them just being there ‘to the rescue,’ it would be better if they would help us build our own capacity and capability, not to engage in a war, but to be able to provide a deterrence against any attempt or threat that may be brewing in the region,” the Senate leader said.
- https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/critics-warn-foreign-policy-direction-risky-to-ph/ar-BB1penAl?ocid=00000000
Related
Trinasolar Introduces Advanced Solar Energy Innovations to Thailand, Supporting Clean Energy Initiatives
Trinasolar's latest solar energy innovations for Thai industry aligns with PDP 2024 and the Thai Government's policy to increase renewable energy usage. BANGKOK, July 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinasolar, a global leader in smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions, is proud to announce its strategic expansion into Thailand's renewable energy sector. Leveraging nearly three decades' worth of experience in the solar industry, Trinasolar...
NewsRainy days reduced electricity spot price by 25% in June
The average cost of electricity traded at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market dropped in June as the rainy season pulled down demand, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP). IEMOP, which operates the spot market, said on Tuesday that the average systemwide electricity spot price had declined to P6.15 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), 25 percent lower than P8.22 per kWh in May. READ: ERC eases WESM trading...
NewsStylists explain how millennials can get Gen Z fashion makeover
To find out how to upgrade your style and stay on-trend without looking too young, FEMAIL talked to stylists about easy swaps you can make, pairing them with items you already own.
NewsPeso seen to fall if rates cut too soon
It is still going to be difficult for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut interest rates ahead of the US Federal Reserve unless it is prepared to let the peso weaken significantly, Dutch financial giant ING Bank said. Robert Carnell, Asia-Pacific head of research at ING, said a rate cut in the fourth quarter would be better than the August easing hinted by BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. But Carnell said that, at this point, the latter...
NewsFastCat leads in green technologies
FASTCAT is pioneering a greener future for shipping, leading in sustainable practices and innovative technologies. Mary Ann Pastrana, chairman of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp., said, "Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond compliance; it's about leading the industry toward a cleaner, more efficient future." With initiatives like DCARB technology, which demonstrated a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption during trials, FastCat is...
NewsSharon Cuneta returns to ABS-CBN for upcoming series
Sharon Cuneta is set to make her teleserye comeback under ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, although details of her upcoming project are still kept under wraps. Cuneta was welcomed at the media giant’s office in a red-carpet rollout event on Wednesday, July 3, where she was welcomed by ABS-CBN chief operating officer Cory Vidanes, Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, as well as Dreamscape heads Kylie Manalo-Balagtas and Rondel Lindayag. The...
NewsGold Breakout Imminent? Watch Out for a Surge Above $2,380
The start of the holiday season brought a sideways trend for gold. This comes at a time when central banks continue to maintain positive reserve growth for the precious metal. With key technical support holding firm, is the correction about to...
NewsInflation, WPS woes a drag on Marcos ratings
INFLATION, the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and corruption in government have contributed to the public's general perception regarding the performance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Publicus Asia's Pahayag second quarter survey showed. Results of the June 15 to 19 poll showed that persistent issues surrounding inflation (25 percent) remain the primary challenge for the administration, which has hurt the Chief Executive's...
News