MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines must be cautious in accepting military assistance even from an ally like the United States in its ongoing dispute with China over the Spratly islands, the leader of the Senate's minority said.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters on Tuesday the Philippines must be clear on what kind of assistance it really needs.
He said the country must ask itself the question, "How far is the US willing to go?"
"But we have to be the one to tell them what we need," Cayetano said.
The senator added that the US assistance also comes with a price.
"It's a commercial deal rather than a Big Brother type of helping a nation with the same principles," he said.
