A geopolitical analyst explains Philippine government’s opposition to former WesCom chief’s talks with China.
“That’s why I introduced the American element here because there are people who are moving on behalf of the Americans within our government. This is, of course an old known problem, a problem of the decade. Those whom we call ‘Amboys’ but now, their new name s are ‘US Proxies’,” said Herman Tiu Laurel, President, Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.
Herman Tiu Laurel, a geopolitical analyst, explained why former WesCom Chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos denied having an agreement with a Chinese official regarding the alleged “new model” agreement.
Laurel stated that what he referred to as ‘US proxies’ do not want tensions in the South China Sea to decrease, as it would undermine their justification for maintaining EDCA sites in the country.
“As long as there is tension, they have a reason to say that “yes, we need the help of the military of the United States, etc…”
“…behind all of this, those are the ones operating in the shadows, in the shadows of the actors here,” Laurel added.
Laurel further mentioned that the ‘psywar experts’ behind this issue are also pushing to establish the existence of a ‘secret agreement’ between former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, even though this claim is false.
“Because all the agreements, ‘gentleman’s agreement’ or reformal written agreement of President Duterte are recorded in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“President Duterte does not know how to speak Mandarin. So, when he was explaining, immediately asking President Xi Jinping, there was a translator. So, the translator recorded that,” Laurel stressed.
Regarding Carlos’ denial of any agreement with the Chinese official, Laurel also explained that…
“This was also a formal discussion. So, there are no secret agreements. Admiral Carlos’ conversation with Senior Col. Li, this is also a formal discussion because they both have a rank, they both have a position in the government they represent and their level,” he added.
It can be recalled from the Senate hearing that Carlos denied having an agreement with the Chinese officials. However, they did discuss methods to reduce tension in the disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea.
