Page 4 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

4 July to December
2017
Secretary Cayetano with the event moderator former Australian Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd.
(Continued from page 3... Asia Society Forum in NY)
According to him, Western countries always
react with use of the word 'war' when this is actually a
"rule of law campaign" aimed at taking out power from
drug lords and narco-politicians and putting it back to the
hands of law enforcement and the courts.
Secretary Cayetano also addressed concerns on
Manila's claims and entitlements in the West Philippine
Sea and South China Sea.
Naming the issue as the “Panda in the room”,
Cayetano said the Philippines has in fact strengthened
and not abandoned its claims.
"There is a change in strategy and framework
but no change in fighting for our sovereignty and
sovereign rights," he said.
In his remarks, the Secretary also discussed the
current state of Manila's relations with Washington, by
addressing what he called “the Eagle in the room”.
Secretary Cayetano said he is the perfect
example of the enduring warm and old friendship
between the Philippines and the United States because
his mother is American.
While the two countries shall remain friends
under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte, the top Filipino diplomat said there is
recalibration or recasting of Philippine-US relations under
the independent foreign policy thrust of the Duterte
Administration.
The Secretary explained that the Philippines and
the US share common values and interests, but these
are not necessarily always identical.
Former Prime Minister Rudd commended
Secretary Cayetano for addressing all concerns raised
during the discussion.
Many in the audience, including members of the
US academe, were impressed with the candor and clarity
in responding to issues being raised against the Duterte
administration.
“His diplomatic policy speech— the elephant, the panda and eagle
metaphor— was well written, eloquently delivered and explained.
His sense of humor added to lighten the serious topic of foreign
affairs subject,” said Edwin Josue, a Filipino-American real estate
broker.
"Secretary Cayetano explained fully well and presented
the other side of the story that most of us know little about,” added
L.P. Pelayo, publisher of Filipino Reporter.
Secretary Cayetano Calls for More Mature
PH-US Relation
Secretary Alan Cayetano with event moderator Ambassador Frank Wisner
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano called for
a more mature Philippine-US relations as he emphasized that the
Philippines pursues an independent foreign policy in the conduct
of its foreign relations.
At his speech before the members of the Council on
Foreign Relations (CFR) in New York last Monday, Secretary
Cayetano said that when the interests of the Philippines are not
parallel with the interests of the US, the Philippines will pursue
the options that will benefit Filipinos. He added that this pursuit
of a stronger and more independent Philippines will eventually
redound to the benefit of the Philippines-US alliance.
Cayetano also said that the Philippines will continue to
be strategic partners with the US in the area of security, and will
engage the US in the areas of trade and economics, and socio-
economic cooperation including business-to business and people
-to-people engagement.
He also underscored the Philippines' commitment to
fulfilling its obligations with its bilateral partners and in the
multilateral sphere, among them the UN Declaration on Human
Rights, the Philippines-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement (EDCA), and the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US.
The event was moderated by Frank G. Wisner, former
US Ambassador to the Philippines, and attended by
businessmen, academe, media, foreign policy analysts, and
members of US think tanks. Another former US Ambassador to
the Philippines, Nicholas Platt. was likewise in attendance.
Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations is
one of the oldest and most respected nonpartisan membership
think tanks and publishers in the United States.