THE United States, Australia, Japan, Germany, Canada and France could soon be joining the Philippines — or we could soon be joining them — in patrolling the West Philippine Sea, according to a Manila Times report quoting the Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The first three countries — the US, Australia and Japan —have already discussed the concept, Brawner said; the three others — Germany, Canada and France — are still working on it. 'Joint patrols are definitely in our plans, and right now we are in the process of working with the other countries,' Brawner was quoted as saying.It is not clear, though, whether the Philippines will lead the group because of its geographic claim or will merely become part of a US-led coalition.
This is why they seem so eager to come on board the joint patrol. By contrast, not a single Association of Southeast Asian Nations member seems interested in joining despite the common interests that all Asean members share. This became unquestionably clear during the last 18th East Asia summit of Asean.In that summit, the Indonesian president Joko Widodo, as chairman, challenged Asean to stay clear of any superpower rivalry in the region.
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