By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
China’s latest actions in the West Philippine Sea are nothing short of a bully’s tantrum on the international stage. Its coast guard’s use of water cannons against Philippine vessels was a feeble attempt to assert dominance over legitimate maritime activities.
I can only think of the Chinese Coast Guard as a playground bully spraying water at smaller kids, hoping to intimidate them into submission. Perhaps, by now, China should have realized that Filipinos are not little kids getting off the grass.
This latest display of aggression by China happened in the vicinity where a CCG vessel aimed a “blinding” laser light at the BRP Malapascua last February. Using laser light to blind the crew at the bridge of the Philippine vessel is not just a juvenile prank; it’s a serious safety hazard and a violation of international maritime norms.
But this is not just about water cannons and laser lights. It’s about China’s audacious territorial claims over the entire South China Sea. The 2016 international ruling won by the Philippines debunked those claims, but China has chosen to throw a hissy fit and disregard the judgment, showing a blatant disregard for international law.
What’s more, Beijing’s justification that the Philippine vessels strayed without authorization into the area of Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) is absurd. Does China now dictate where other countries can sail in international waters? It’s like someone claiming your front lawn as their private property and blasting you with water when you dare to step on it.
The Philippines, along with the support of the US, EU, Australia, and Japan, rightly demands China to cease its illegal actions and abide by international laws. It’s like the world telling a spoiled child to stop breaking the rules and respect everyone’s rights.
China’s insistence on removing the BRP Sierra Madre, a Filipino warship deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal, further demonstrates its unreasonable behavior. This ship symbolizes Manila’s territorial claim, and instead of engaging in rational dialogue, China resorts to petty demands.
Nothing can justify China’s continuous harassment of Philippine vessels and personnel in the region. There’s simply no excuse for a blatant violation of international law and the principles of peaceful coexistence.
The South China Sea is a critical global sea lane, and China’s aggression threatens regional peace and stability. It’s akin to a neighbor trying to fence off a shared driveway and then threatening to spray water or beam a laser at anyone who dares to use it.
Should I compare this maritime bully to a persistent pest causing trouble for its neighbors, leaving them no choice but to stand their ground and protect their rights?
It’s high time for China to stop playing the role of an arrogant Goliath and start acting like a responsible member of the international community. Respect for international law and the rights of other nations is not optional, and China must learn that its actions have consequences beyond its tantrums.
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