Miriam: US, China are both selfish

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Sunday reiterated her opposition against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States (US).

During the first round of the presidential debates in Cagayan de Oro, Santiago insinuated that the US has its own motives in the disputed South China Sea.

"Itong dalawang higante, ang China at ang United States, parehong gustong kontrolahin ang Pilipinas. Bayaan mo na kung anong mga ambisyon nila sa sarili nila pero huwag nila tayo idamay. Kaya pareho lang 'yan na mga ganid," Santiago said.

Santiago noted that China has been refusing one-on-one talks with claimant countries of the disputed sea such as the Philippines and Vietnam.

"Ang China gusto niya lahat ng produce kanya na kaya ayaw makipag-usap sa atin... Ang atin namang gusto ay collective, lahat ng ASEAN magkasama-sama sila, sampu sila at kausapin nila ang China," Santiago said.

Sen. Grace Poe agreed with Santiago's stand on the EDCA, arguing that it needs Senate concurrence.

The Philippines can also strengthen its military even if it is a small country to be able to defend its territory, Poe said.

"Kaya rin natin aunti-unti palakasin natin ang ating military. Kausapin natin ang China constructively pero let's take a leadership role in the ASEAN so that we can follow a particular code of conduct that will be followed by the other countries," Poe said.

Poe also agreed with Santiago's statement that the US might have an ulterior motive in its agreement with the Philippines.

"Wala pong isang bayan na mag-iisip kung anong mas maganda para sa kanilang kapitbahay o sa kanilang kaalyado. Ang una nila iisipin ay ang kanilang sarili," Poe said.

Santiago said that the Philippines' protest against China in connection to the disputed seas has no effect and suggested that the country should negotiate with Beijing, together with other Southeast Asian countries.

"We have to stand for our sovereign rights. I am willing to join any movement to declare our independence from imposed sovereignty," Santiago said.

The Philippines, along with other ASEAN member nations and the US recently released a joint declaration calling for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in the South China Sea.

Manila is expecting the result of its arbitration case against Beijing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations before May.