MANILA, Philippines - An ally of President Benigno Aquino today cautioned Malacañang against the United State's pledge of assistance in its dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.
"We should have no illusions about what the United States has to say about our strong ties," Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a statement, reacting to US Ambassador Harry Thomas' assurance that the US is willing to extend assistance to the Philippines on the territorial dispute in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea).
The senator added: "In the final analysis, they are moved primarily by their interests and certainly not ours--and the same goes for China."
Pangilinan added that the Philippines can only depend on itself to be able to protect its own interest in Spratly Islands.
"In the end, we will have to look out for ourselves. We would be fools to rely on other nations to protect our interests in the disputed territory," he said.
Thomas said during the launching of the US-supported National Renewable Energy Program in Makati City on Tuesday that the US would stand with the Philippines in all issues, including the dispute over the Spratly Islands.
“I want to assure you – on all subjects, we in the United States are with the Philippines. The Philippines and the United States are strategic treaty allies. We are partners,” Thomas said. “We will continue to consult and work with each other on all issues, including the South China Sea and Spratly Islands."
The US ambassador made the statement after Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said that the Philippines can use its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US in dealing with the territorial dispute.
President Aquino was grateful of Thomas' assurance, saying the presence of the MDT with the US "ensures that all of us will have freedom of navigation, will conform to international law."
China had warned "external powers" to avoid meddling into the Spratlys dispute. It also chided the US for attempting to intervene.
The Philippines has protested Chinese military activities in the West Philippine Sea, including the harassment of its vessel involved in an oil exploration project in the dispute territory.
There were also sightings of Chinese vessels unloading building materials and erecting posts in Iroquis Bank, which is within Philippine territory. The claim has been denied by China.