House minority leader Danilo Suarez. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥擧ouse Minority Leader Danilo Suarez has expressed support to the country鈥檚 plans of requesting for assistance from the United States in the form of its spy planes to monitor movements in the West Philippine Sea.
鈥淧ersonally, I support and welcome any kind of aide that gives our territorial boundaries decent protection,鈥� he said, pertaining to President Benigno Aquino III鈥檚 idea of requesting the US government to deploy its spy planes in the disputed area.
Suarez said that US aide in the form of air surveillance would come handy, pointing out that individuals from nearby countries may be poaching in the country鈥檚 waters without the government鈥檚 knowledge.
鈥淪py planes can monitor and cover the whole coastline,鈥� he said, explaining that authorities will be able to immediately spot poachers on Philippines鈥� territory through air surveillance.
Suarez also said that he saw nothing wrong if the country sought assistance from its ally in intensifying its security.
鈥淚f we don鈥檛 come up with a deliberate move we will further be stumped by these people,鈥� said the lawmaker, adding that weak nations were often subjected to abuse.
Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy Party-list Representative Pastor Alcover Jr. echoed Suarez鈥檚 statement, saying 鈥渁sking for support from allies like the US, para sa atin rin yan. We need allies and we鈥檝e established a long relationship with the US.鈥�