The Philippines needs to balance its relationships with China and the United States where the South China Sea is concerned. | jiandradeINQ
The defense secretary pointed out that the presence of the United States in the South China Sea does not exactly ensure that Philippine interests in the area are protected.
“Maybe if they are there, but they cannot always stay in South China Sea. They have to come here from their nearest bases in Guam and in Okinawa and have to travel and they have to leave. We are left behind so we have to balance our relationship with each of these superpowers to protect our interest,” he said.
“We are left here and we have to deal with the Chinese whether we like it or not. They are, of course, our neighbor. They are always there and they will not leave. So I think we have to manage our relationship with the Chinese and that’s what the President [has been] trying to do since the start of his presidency,” he said.
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