Binay called for stronger Philippines-US security ties

August 26, 2011
VICE President Jejomar Binay on Friday highlighted the need to upgrade Philippines-United States security ties, although denying the possibility of armed conflict in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) because of the territorial dispute in the region.
In a speech delivered before defense and security officials from 23 countries at the prestigious Harvard University, the Vice President said that China must also contribute in ensuring peace and development in Asia.
He, however, discounted the probability of the conflict in the West Philippine Sea to amount to an armed struggle.
But Binay also said that it “would be good” for everyone “to understand what could happen if the improbable happened.”
Although US is not obliged to take the side of the Philippines on its dispute with China on the contested Spratly Islands, it is bound under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty to come to the defense of the Philippines if its troops, public vessels or aircraft are attacked in the area, the Vice President said.
The Spratly Islands is a group of reefs, atolls and islets in the West Philippine Sea that is purportedly rich in oil and mineral reserves.
It is being claimed in whole by China, and in part by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
Also, Binay enjoined Southeast Asian countries to support “a balance of power in the region” by encouraging China to become a truly positive force for peace and development.
“There is need for the Southeast Asian countries to engage China individually and collectively to create the necessary structures for peace and stability in the region,” the Vice President said.
But despite Binay’s invitation for the United States to improve its security ties with the Philippines, he maintained that continuous dialogues between Manila and Beijing will make both sides better understand the situation.
He highlighted the importance of discussing the issue through normal diplomatic channels and an exchange of high-level visits.
President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled for a four-day state visit to China (Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen) to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and possibly discuss the two countries’ overlapping territorial and maritime claims.
“Convinced that only a rules-based approach to the South China Sea issue can assure us of the best possible results, the Philippines is eager to see the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) transformed into an operational Code of Conduct, based on the principles of international law, including the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea,” Binay said.
The DOC refers to the non-binding edict signed by China and member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to reduce political tension in the disputed region.
“Since not all the South China Sea is disputed territory, we should be able to delineate which features are disputed and which waters are not, so that we could then agree on what norms to follow in each case. This should serve as a starting point in considering the Philippine proposal for the establishment of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation,” he added.
Amid several exchange of barbs and accusations between Beijing and Manila over the past months, including a number of alleged Chinese intrusions in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Binay said that all claimant-countries must agree on what constitutes “unfriendly and exceptionable behavior” in the claimed and disputed areas.
The EEZ comprises the 200-nautical mile area from the farthest point of Palawan island.
The Vice President also urged all parties “to practice utmost transparency and predictability, more proactive diplomacy and a deeper institutional approach to the issues.”
Binay is currently attending a two-week course on national security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at the Harvard University. (BCVB)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/08/26/binay-called-stronger-philippines-us-security-ties-175479

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
(045) 841 4006 / 0922-870-5173 / 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

www.YatsRestaurant.com
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com