Demilitarize the South China Sea and All Asia and the Pacific!

Statement of the ILPS Asia and the Pacific Regional Committee

Immediate de-escalation and de-militarization of the South China Sea and the whole region of Asia and the Pacific!

The chief of the Philippine military stated last Tuesday, April 1 to prepare to extend its operations outside of Philippine territory, and that the Northern Luzon Command should “not be content with securing just the Northern hemisphere up to Mavulis Island. Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.”

The announcement came after the visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines. It must be made clear that interventionist actions to other nations under the guise of national security are violations of sovereignty of these nations, as national security ends at the national border.

The statements made by the Philippine military chief is clearly in line with the US strategic agenda of using the Philippines as a proxy and cannon fodder with its conflict with China. The areas around the South China Sea, including Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines are part of the “Island Chain” strategy of the US to engage, contain and encircle China. The visit of the US Defense Secretary, and the subsequent statement by the Philippine military official is clearly part of the war preparations of the US versus China.

We call for an immediate de-escalation and de-militarization of the South China Sea. The moves of the US to sell F16s to the Philippines – a total of 20 aircraft will cost the already impoverished Philippine taxpayers an estimated total of $5.58 billion – is only aggravating the hostilities and furthering the militarization of the region. The recent military drill by China, conducting long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea last April 2 is also raising the tension. If a shooting war happens in the region, it will be the people of Asia and the Pacific, especially those near and around the South China Sea, that will suffer from the war.

The peace-loving and democratic people of Asia and the Pacific supports a political solution to the differences in the South China Sea. Diplomacy should take center stage, allow all the countries involved to sit together as co-equals and discuss the political solution to the issues without the intervention and meddling of the US.

Signed,

ILPS Asia and the Pacific Regional Committee