By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
China, for all its media declarations that it desires a peaceful bilateral settlement of territorial disputes with nations spread through the South China Sea, is all about aggression and tightening its grip on shoals and features closest to smaller parties like the Philippines.
Speaking in Australia, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s words ring a grave alarm: “China is pushing us, with increasing audacity, to yield our sovereign rights in our own waters.”
There have been repeated confrontations over contested areas, like Scarborough Shoal, and just recently, 29 Chinese Coast Guard ships have been roaming the West Philippine Sea. Manila is left in an increasingly precarious position.
It’s heartening to see nations like Australia standing by us and Teodoro’s meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles reflects, at least, our country’s expanding alliances against China’s bullying grip on the South China Sea.
Still, we must face a towering question mark over whether our allies‘ promised support would be as firm as China’s resolve to conquer our maritime territories, or would we be the ones alone standing on our shores when push comes to shove?
Like America, their interests are allied with ours but, ultimately, every nation will choose self-preservation over sacrifice. For the Philippines, this means preparing to rely on our own strength to defend our sovereignty, even if bolstered by the encouragement of friendly nations.
These thoughts have come to view as even our very own leaders see the writing on the wall. Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senator Imee Marcos have called for a hard look at our defenses, urging the Philippines to reduce reliance on foreign allies and fortify its local defense industry.
After all, the bitter reality is clear: no matter how strong our alliances appear on paper, the task of defending our waters, our territory, and our dignity falls squarely on us.
Sen. Marcos’s push for a defense posture that leans on local resources is a step in the right direction. Building our capacity to protect our shores is more than a strategic choice — it’s a matter of survival.
Our laws, like the newly signed Maritime Zones Act, are clear: the Philippines will not be bullied into submission, nor will it yield its rightful territory to appease Beijing. For every inch of ground we cede in complacency, China’s appetite for dominance grows.
This should be a wake-up call: allies, while valuable, are only a part of the equation. The other part — the one that truly matters — is our readiness, our courage, and our willingness to stand alone if we must.
For now, the enactment of the Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act is the Philippines making a firm, principled stand before China, codifying our rightful boundaries and establishing legal routes through our archipelagic waters.
These laws may be on paper, but they give clarity to our claims, in alignment with international law. And Beijing’s outrage — manifested through its summoning our ambassador in protest — only confirms their significance.
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