Aquino to discuss Spratlys issue with Sultan of Brunei

Finding a common stand on the territorial dispute in the South China Sea will be one of President Benigno Aquino III's agenda when he meets with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah later this week. Aquino will be in Brunei on June 1 and 2 for a state visit. "Meron ding mga common problems tulad ng South China Sea issue na gusto nating magkasundo sana, magkaroon ng meeting of the minds, magkaroon ng ASEAN centrality ang mode ng pagreresolba ng isyu," he told reporters Monday. The Philippines and Brunei are among the countries claiming, in part or whole, the Spratly Islands. Other claimants are Vietnam, People’s Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan), and Malaysia. Defense, military officials visit Palawan Also on Monday, Defense and military officials flew to Palawan to check directly with the Armed Forces’ Western Command (Wescom) regarding the reported intrusion of foreign fighter jets on the country's airspace in the province. The visit, led by Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban, occurred over a week after fighter jets believed to be from China harassed two Philippine Air Force planes that were patrolling the Reed Bank area, which is part of the disputed Spratlys Island. “The purpose of the visit is to get a first (hand) update on the current security situation in the Wescom area of responsibility. That’s in the face of the reported intrusions as reported by media," said Defense undersecretary and concurrent spokesman Eduardo Batac, who was part of the team that conducted the visit. Batac said Wescom chief Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban gave a briefing on, among others, the need to repair the airstrip at the Pag-asa Island, which is the largest among the several islands occupied by Filipino forces in the Spratlys Island. Asked on what was Gazmin’s order to Wescom, Batac said: “His [instruction] is for all our forces to be vigilant, continue with the air and sea patrols in the area." Aquino agenda in Brunei Aside from the Spratly issue, Aquino would also discuss with Brunei officials a possible technology transfer on the use of natural gas for public transport sector. "Meron tayong substantial gas deposits dito, meron din silang expertise, puwede tayo magkatulungan dun, na tulungan tayong ma-exploit, ma-set-up, baka puwede rin ma-advance yung paglilipat natin sa natural gas para sa ating transport sector," he said. The President believes a shift to liquefied natural gas or compressed natural gas would be a big help to the public transportation industry. "Kung magagamit ng mga public transport itong liquefied natural gas o yung compressed natural gas, di na tayo aangkat, tayo na magsasabi ng kung ano ang presyo nun," he said. He added it would further insulate the public transportation sector from the increasing oil price in the world market. Aquino is also expected to visit Filipino companies in Brunei such as fast food chain Jollibee and International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) to "promote our own industries." — KBK, GMA News