Bring it on!

It is not unexpected to hear more of the usual from China, especially after they failed to block a civilian ship hired by the AFP to re-supply and rotate Philippine Marines stationed at the rusty, decrepit BRP Sierra Madre. You would recall that we tried to re-supply the same last month but were prevented from doing so by Chinese coast guard vessels. Airdrops had to be resorted to keep the Marines alive. Last Saturday was different. With members of the media on board, the ship pushed through another effort by two large Chinese coast guard vessels to block their path. The ship got through, the BRP Sierra Madre re-supplied and the Marines who have been living in the ship for the past five months finally brought back home.

According to China, our actions on Ayungin Shoal will have consequences. We are also being accused to provoking China to respond in the way they do. We have been hearing this for the longest time. All having to do with China's insistence that the whole of the South China Sea is theirs, and no one else has the right to claim any part of it. But we beg to disagree, which is why we have elevated the whole issue to the United Nations. China has refused to follow suit, merely resorting to the usual threatening rhetoric.

According to China, their claim is solidly based on international law. But isn't that what the UN is all about? If China is so sure of its claim, based on so-called international law and the "nine-dash line", then why can't it join the discussion on an international forum? Why can't it show all these incontestable truth to the table? They claim to have the legal basis but do not want to go to court, so to speak. Whose international laws are they following? The ones drafted only in Beijing? In Chinese history books?

The Philippines has done the right thing by bringing this whole issue to international court. It is in the best interest of China to follow suit. Reminds me of those politicians running for office, but refusing to participate in debates. They claim to know the law, but won't go face to face with others who also know the law. As if they know that by participating in a debate, their ignorance will be exposed. What does that say? 

China's actions last Saturday have not gone unnoticed by other countries. In fact, they are the ones seen as provoking us, not the other way around. The big bully picking on the little guy. Well this little guy will not be cowered by China's threats. If they feel they have all the aces, then there is no reason for them not to play. If they bring their case to court and win, I'm certain we will follow what the courts decide. But if they continue to have a unilateral stand on the issue, and continue to resort to threats and provocative actions by their vaunted military…

Bring it on.