Inutile response to Chinese aggression

Rhetoric certainly is not lacking in statements from the President, the new Defense Secretary, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other government officials on the issue of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The PCG highlighted its commendation of personnel who deployed water buoys to mark the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS.

Recently, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, AFP Western Command chief, led a meaningful flag raising ceremony on the remote Pag-asa island last June 12 (Philippine Independence Day), declaring the island a “stronghold” against the Chinese who have been bullying Filipino fishermen.

Carlos paid tribute to the soldiers stationed on the island for protecting the country’s sovereignty.

While Coast Guardians and AFP soldiers are recognized for doing their jobs, incidents of Chinese bullying continue to persist with Filipinos almost always retreating in utter helplessness over the muscle displayed by Chinese Coast Guard inside our EEZ.

The resupply ship for Pag-asa was shadowed by the Chinese Coast Guard with the PCG escort unable to do anything.

President Bongbong Marcos does not even want to anger China by declaring a foreign policy of neutrality – the Philippines is “a friend of everyone, an enemy of no one”.

The Philippine Coast Guard is even helpless when the Chinese Coast Guard directed military-grade laser at our vessel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs may have lost count on the number of diplomatic protests lodged with the Embassy of China at Makati.

Lots of rhetoric but sorely lacking in action. That’s all our executives can do.

Despite The Hague ruling, Philippines is unable to enforce it with the American, Australian and recently Japanese governments expressing support. No rhetoric – they have participated in recent joint military exercises in WPS which solicited angry response from Beijing.

Recently appointed Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said the Chinese government must explain the contradiction between their statements and actions.

Meanwhile, fishermen await government help that trickle down far in between despite the rhetoric from officials intending to run in the next local polls.

Chinese Coast Guard and Air Force personnel tasked to defend their sovereignty in the WPS sincerely believe the lies perpetrated by top Chinese leaders.

Their patriotism will make them heroes when they give up their lives against intruding Filipinos, Americans, Japanese and Australians.

They have most likely been kept away from knowing The Hague ruling.

Exercises to ensure freedom of navigation in the WPS will inevitably lead to a tragic military encounter that should not be allowed to escalate. If it does, those EDCA sites in our country will be automatic targets of Chinese missiles to disable resupply capabilities of the Americans.