By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Back from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, President Bongbong Marcos has spoken very little, if at all, about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The South China Sea tensions, including collisions and the plight of Filipino fishermen, were on the table, right? All these should have been, yet the silence surrounding this critical dialogue is deafening.
While both leaders emphasize a work-in-progress approach to nagging tensions in the South China Sea very close to the Philippine islands, one wonders why so little has been said about this crucial summit.
We’re made aware that Marcos vividly highlighted China’s brazen construction of bases and military occupation in the West Philippine Sea – which is the portion of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). But such insidious encroachments into Philippine territory are a dire situation raised by Marcos only at a security talk in Hawaii.
China, big and rich and powerful as it sees itself, owes Manila a response, an apology even. The People’s Liberation Army’s calculated advance, building bases merely 60 nautical miles from the Philippine coastline, is an outright violation of Philippine sovereignty. So, President Xi is big enough to throw his weight around this far out across the sea but cowers in silence when asked to answer for his deed?
Now, the Philippines is hard-pressed to strengthen partnerships, especially with the United States militarily. No one else is to blame but the audacity of China’s continued aggression, rejecting international rulings and employing belligerent tactics against Philippine vessels.
…more action
Last Tuesday, the desperate situation resulted in joint maritime and air patrols in the South China Sea between the Philippines and the United States military. This marked a stark response to China’s aggressive stance.
Marcos described it as a “significant initiative,” a tangible move amid the escalating tensions. The patrols, strategically based near Taiwan on Mavulis Island of Batanes – the Philippines’ northernmost tip, demonstrate a decisive shift in the geopolitical landscape.
In the face of China’s dismissive attitude towards protests and calls for accountability, the Philippines has forged a robust alliance with a powerful ally. The patrols send an unmistakable message: actions speak louder than diplomatic niceties. China’s warning against such collaborations reflects its unease, but the Philippine leader, unlike Xi, refuses to be cowed.
As the region grapples with the specter of heightened tensions, these joint patrols symbolize a tangible commitment to safeguarding sovereignty. In partnership with the United States, the Philippines takes a jagged-edge stance against China’s territorial encroachments, forcing the world to reckon with the consequences of a desperate situation met with resolute action.
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