No announcement on Pax Silica during ASEAN Summit — US envoy
MANILA – There will be no announcement regarding the Pax Silica project during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this month, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton said on Saturday.
Pax Silica is a US-backed initiative that aims to build artificial intelligence infrastructure, among others.
In the Philippines, there are concerns and oppositions with the initiative due to its potential impact to indigenous people’s rights and the environment.
Lipton assured that there will be “rigorous” dialogues with stakeholders.
“No such announcement on the Pax Silica Economic Security Zone was ever planned. Decisions will be made in full consultation with the government of the Philippines at the appropriate time,” he said in a statement.
“We look forward to working alongside the government of the Philippines about this exciting initiative to secure supply chains and attract quality investment in support of economic growth and jobs at home for the Filipino people,” he added.
SCS CODE OF CONDUCT
Meanwhile, security analyst Chester Cabalza said Filipinos are hoping that a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea will be crafted during the summit.
The South China Sea is a maritime area being claimed by several ASEAN countries and China.
Cabalza said a Code of Conduct, with or without China’s signature, would be a “blessing.”
“Mas maganda kung ‘yung lalabas na Code of Conduct na version ay ‘yung nilagdaan din ng China. That means gusto nila talagang ayusin itong problema na ito, gusto nilang makipagkalakalan sa atin, at gusto nilang umusbong ‘yung diplomasya sa rehiyon natin,” he said on DZMM’s Anong Ganap.
“We hope that miracle will happen by next week with the signing of the Code of Conduct. Sana mangyari po ‘yun at inaasahan po ng lahat ng mga Pilipino na mangyari ‘yun para magkaroon ng pag-asa na ang kapayapaan sa West Philippine Sea ay pwedeng mangyari,” Cabalza added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has not yet confirmed his attendance to the summit. Cabalza said that if the official attends, it is an “affirmation” that the relationship between China and the Philippines are on good terms.
PREPARATIONS
The Philippines’ preparation for the summit, which will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay from Nov. 15 to 17, is in full swing.
Personnel around the vicinity were seen finishing the decorations for the event.
Checkpoints have also been in place which are manned by uniformed personnel.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson PLtCol. Hazel Asilo said more cops will be deployed as the ASEAN Summit approaches.
“Mababa po ‘yung ating nakikitang banta para dito po sa ating ASEAN Summit,” Asilo told ABS-CBN News.
“Palagi naman po natin tinitingnan lagi na merong threat. Hindi po tayo nagsasabi ng zero para po lagi po nakataas ‘yung alert level or ‘yung ating pagbabantay para hindi po tayo nakakampante,” she said.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto inspected the PICC on Friday to check whether the preparations are in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Since Oct. 24, the vicinity of PICC has been in “controlled access,” in which entry will be subject to security screening and verification. It will last until Nov. 8.
From Nov. 9 to 18, a “restricted access” will be implemented, meaning only authorized personnel and vehicles with valid access credentials are the only ones allowed to enter.