Palace: No plans to convene NSC despite PHL-China tension

The Aquino administration sees no reason to convene the National Security Council (NSC) as of now despite the current tension with China regarding the dispute on Spratlys Islands. At a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said so far there is no recommendation yet from the Cabinet security cluster to convene the NSC. “There have been suggestions that the National Security Council should be convened. I’m sure these suggestions will be considered by the security cluster, pero sa ngayon wala pa akong alam na decision na i-convene yung National Security Council," Carandang said. “We have many mechanisms to deal with security issues. You have the security cluster which is the primary mechanism for addressing these issues. Sa tingin naman namin, sapat na po ‘yung nagiging response ng gobyerno dito sa mga nangyayari," he added. The Philippine government has accused China of intrusion into its territory located near the disputed groups islands, which are believed to be oil- and mineral-rich. Carandang also said the possible presence of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the NSC meeting is not the reason why President Benigno Aquino III has yet to order the convening of the council. Past presidents are usually invited to join NSC meetings. Asked if the Aquino administration will invite past presidents, including Arroyo, when it convenes the NSC, Carandang said that it is still speculation as there is no plan yet to convene the council. “That’s speculation. We don’t know if we’re going to convene the NSC so we’ll cross the bridge when we get there," he said. The NSC is composed of President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr, Foreign Affairs Seretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Labor Secretary Baldoz. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News