USA REJECTED Philippines SOS China’s invasion inspite of Mutual Defense Treaty

The US Government affirmed that it will support for word of mouth only and not in real action, a recent turnout of the high level ministerial talks between USA and the Philippines.

For the territorial clash between the Philippines and China in the Philippine territory's Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) USA rejected the vocal ask for support of the Philippines Government.

Even though in the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) mentioned that if there is an actual invasion in the Philippine territory; USA will come to protect the Philippines but the invasion of China in the Philippines territory is disregarded by the USA government because of political ties between US-China.

Though it said to support for diplomatic solution but still vague if in the actual event if USA would be there for the Philippines after their recent decision.

This is the second time that the US government rejected the Mutual Defense Treaty showing USA could not make its word into reality, a promise of never ending promise.

The refusal of the United States to take sides in the Scarborough Shoal tiff between the Philippines and China merely confirms that the long-standing mutual defense treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington is unreliable, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday.

Arroyo, an opposition senator, also cringed at the result of the highly publicized ministerial talks between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and top diplomats and officials of the country, saying it only made the top government officials look like "beggars" in the international community after the US official said America is not inclined to take the side of the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China but will only help build and strengthen the country's maritime capabilities.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate National Defense Committee, said the US cannot afford to take sides in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and over the Scarborough Shoal as its stand is anchored on the presence of American business interests in China, which "will always play a vital role in their foreign policy decisions."

According to Manila Bulletin research, China has been a major player in the global debt market since 2011, holding at least $1.6 trillion in US treasury bonds which helps maintain the US' low interest rates and management of its enormous debt.

The US also owes at least $1.13 trillion to China, equivalent to 25 percent of the total $4.6-trillion debt given by foreign countries.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angarasaid Washington's position to settle the territorial deadlock through peaceful settlement, and multilateral and rules-based approach is given following its crucial bilateral relations with China, now considered the economic giant in Asia.

"That is to be expected because this a sensitive time in US-China relations, what with the issue of the Chinese lawyer seeking asylum in the US embassy in Beijing as well as the need for the US to win over Beijing to its side regarding North Korea and Iran," the Harvard educated-lawmaker said.

AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe agreed with Angara, saying that "Big Brother will never interfere unless its interests are affected."

But while the US said it won't take sides, Clinton reaffirmed America's commitment to its MDT with the Philippines and to freedom of navigation and regional security. She also reiterated that the US will support a diplomatic resolution to any territorial disputes.

"The results of the Del Rosario-Clinton-Gazmin-Panetta ministerial meeting is a lesson for us – a small power – and that is, we should not embark on a high-profile meeting unless we are sure about a modi¬cum of success in the negotiation," Arroyo said, referring to the high-level talks attended by Foreign Af¬fairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

"That underscores the importance of back channeling, the in¬formal diplomacy, the preliminary talks before the formal meeting. For why should we go through highly publicized talks, only to look beggared by puny cessations?" Ar¬royo said,

"Whereas before, there was at least some doubt where the US stands in the crisis, now it has been clarified. Nagkabistuhan na," he stressed.

Arroyo said the Aquino govern¬ment should look up to former President Corazon C. Aquino, the President's mother, who was "a master of that kind of diplomacy."

"Informal talks were first made and the points of agreement were more or less agreed upon before the formal talks take place," Ar¬royo said.

"If there was no agreement in the preparatory talks, it was useless to proceed with the formal meeting. Ask Teddy (Teodoro) "Boy" Locsin who was 25 years younger then. He was Cory's effective diplomatic intercessor, among others," he said of Mrs. Aquino's former press sec¬retary.

Arroyo, who was Mrs. Aquino's executive secretary, said the latest development in Washington only confirms what China had thought all along, "that the 61-year Mutual Defense Treaty cannot be invoked in the Scarborough standoff."

In the joint statement, the US also affirmed it would cooperate on building the Philippines sea patrol capabilities and will transfer a second ship to the poorly equipped Philippine Navy some this year.

Both Del Rosario and Gazmin appealed also during the meeting for the US' help in building at least a "minimum credible defense" for the Philippine Armed Forces.

US Interest in the Spratlys and the Philippines

USA still having a hidden plan for the Spratlys which the Philippines must wake up that letting the US to land again in any part of the Philippine territory would put the country in danger for their hidden agenda for the resource rich spratlys.

China is  vocal in their invasion to the Philippines which the Philippines must prepare to counter china but USA also has a hidden plan to the Spratlys which the Philippines must be very careful in making its decision if allowing the US to use the Philippines for its power ambition in the pacific or not.

The USA refused to sign the UNCLOS as a proof that they are also against the United Nations Convention in Laws of Sea for some reasons such as the same intention with china to invade or control the Areas which are affected by the UNCLOS or any other hidden reasons.

Without the United State's support, The Philippines and four other states (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Bahamas) got the approval in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held in Jamaica last December 10, 1982. They were qualified as archipelagic States and international Laws protect them to exercise the 200 Nautical Miles Exclusive Economic Zone. 

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916,315 Jobs for Palm Oil Projects, PEZA Investment Growth 2012

The Bureau of Investments (BOI) on Monday approved a ₱737 Million palm oil project of Philippine-registered Zanorte Palm Rubber Plantation.

"The Zanorte project will help expand the country's agro-industries and create much-needed employment opportunities in rural areas. It will also help boost the palm oil industry which is among the sectors we have identified for industry development," BOI Managing Head Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said in a statement.

Sirawai and Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte–one of the 30 poorest provinces in the country–will host the project.

It will provide about 1,055 jobs, and is expected to create 54-58 percent  net value added to Zamboanga del Norte's economy.

The palm oil facility has a rated output of 9,900 metric tons (MT) of palm oil, and 2,338 MT of dried palm kernel.

The by-products of Zanorte Plantation will be sold to food giants like Universal Robina Corp., RFM Corp., Nestle Philippines, and Mina Oil Mill Corp., as well as exporters and manufacturers of soap and other industrial products.

Government data show the Philippine yearly production of palm oil is 54,333 MT and 6.54 MT of palm kernel.

Each palm fruit is capable of producing 90 percent palm oil and 10 percent  palm kernel oil. Industry data show that palm oil currently accounts for a 21-percent share of the world edible oil market.

Earlier this year, Zanorte registered a rubber plantation project with the BOI.

The project aims to integrating dried rubber production, which will be sold to tire makers Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Yokohama.

"While agriculture was hard hit by El Niño, La Niña, and other natural calamities, the sustained investor interest in agribusiness will re-energize and help us further grow this sector," Cristobal claimed.

BOI registered ₱479.682 million of agricultural investment in the first quarter of the year, up 52.77 percent from P₱313.988 million a year earlier.

PEZA sets 12% growth in ecozone investments, exports, jobs for 2012

Having generated ₱465 billion in registered investments in the country's 258 economic zones since President Benigno Aquino III took office, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) aims to post 12 percent increases in investments, exports and employment this year.

Last year, PEZA investments totaled ₱288 billion—a 41 percent increase from ₱204 billion in 2010.

"These [figures] show the continued enthusiasm of investors who are looking at the Philippines," PEZA director general Lilia de Lima said during the annual Investors' Night Thursday evening in Pasay City, where President Aquino was guest of honor.

The President highlighted the significance of the investment figures.

 "I am told that since we assumed office, PEZA has generated a total of—and this is part of the statistics I want to repeat ₱ 465 billion pesos in investments. Allow me to emphasize the magnitude of this figure. I'll have to repeat it a third time: ₱ 465 billion pesos. In 17 years of PEZA, this represents 23 percent of all investments generated by the authority. And, may I say again, this has happened in a span of less than two years," the President said.

 Among the locator firms feted during Investors' Night were Texas Instruments Philippines and Amkor Technology Philippines. These firms were given the Billionaires Award for pouring at least P3 billion worth of investments in the past three straight years.

 Europe, a new market

 In January and February, PEZA has brought investors that committed to 90 projects costing P16.22 billion.

 "Even companies in the European countries that did not show previous interest in the Philippines are now considering investing in the country," de Lima added.

 There are 2,709 firms in the ecozones—19 percent of which, or 514 firms, came during the Aquino administration.

 These firms directly employ 915,260 employees, according to de Lima.

President Aquino said the growing PEZA investments "is an indication of the investors' newfound confidence in the Philippines. We have garnered distinction after distinction from various renowned institutions."

 "The World Economic Forum, for example, bumped us ten places higher in their latest competitiveness ranking. The Japan External Trade Organization, in their survey of companies in Asia and Oceania, also named us as one of the best place to do business in Asia, whether in manufacturing or in service," Aquino noted.

The President also shared with PEZA investors a bit of realization he got from attending the World Electronics Forum in Cebu City last week.

"Businesses have realized the creativity and skill of the workforce and are moving them up the value chain; from production-line assemblies, they are tapping Filipinos for chip design and engineering. This is the result of companies nurturing their work force, and in turn, that work force is eager to learn and to propel its company towards even greater heights," Aquino shared.

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