Tolentino to Marcos: High time to convene National Security Council

By: - Reporter / @zacariansINQ
05:55 PM June 20, 2024

China's actions in West Philippine Sea undermine regional peace - Blinken

WEAPON IN HAND The Armed Forces of the Philippines, which released this photo on Wednesday, said one of the China Coast Guard members shown here (center) wielded a pickaxe and made threatening gestures in their encounter with Filipino troops on a resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on June 17.

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Thursday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convene the National Security Council (NSC) to come up with possible responses to China’s recent aggression at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas) in the West Philippine Sea.

Tolentino made the pronouncement after noting that the recent ramming incident at Ayungin Shoal, which resulted in a severed thumb of a Philippine Navy sailor, already involves the country’s peace and security.

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“I think it’s about time for the president to consider convening the [NSC], considering Executive Order 115 circa 1986 can now be invoked,” Tolentino told reporters.

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“Kailangan na ito kasi involved na ang peace and security ng ating bansa (this is necessary because the country’s peace and security are already involved) – and to have the NSC convened, would show na (that) they are really in a heightened level not just of awareness but of a possible national response,” he added.

The NSC, according to Tolentino, will be composed of not just current officials but also past presidents who are still alive, namely, former Presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte.

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“Kailangan mag-meeting ito para maglabas ng puwedeng gawing pagtugon sa mga nangyayari lalo na ‘yung nangyari noong June 17,” Tolentino said.

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(The council must meet to come up with possible responses to the events that have occurred, especially the incident on June 17.)

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Tolentino said Marcos and the past presidents should set aside political considerations, and instead, prioritize the appropriate response against China and the country’s needs.

NSC should study grounds for invoking Mutual Defense Treaty

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Another topic that the NSC should discuss is whether it is time for the country to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US, Tolentino said.

He explained that the MDT boils down to the definition of an “armed attack,” on whether China’s recent aggression can already be counted as such.

“The NSC would have to advise the President, ‘ito na, invoke na natin,’ o ‘hindi pa ito ‘yung threshold na kailangan ma-trigger ‘yung MDT,’” he added.

(The NSC would have to advise the President whether to invoke the MDT or if the current situation does not meet the threshold necessary to trigger it.)

He also expressed his frustration over the incident at Ayungin Shoal, tagging China’s actions as “detestable, and infuriating.”

The ramming incident occurred between China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and Filipino boats during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre last June 17.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the CCG also used water cannons and even boarded Philippine vessels.

READ: West Philippine Sea: Filipino sailors fought armed CCGs ‘with bare hands’ 

The incident resulted in a Philippine Navy sailor’s severed thumb, with several other naval personnel sustaining minor injuries.

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READ: PH Navy sailor loses thumb, others injured in CCG ramming incident

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