Who’s poking who – the Philippine carabao or the Chinese panda bear?

The question we ask – is it the carabao poking the panda bear, or the other way around? Clearly, the two incidents prove who the “poker” is. Last Sunday, a China Coast Guard vessel blocked and collided with a Philippine boat that was on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal – then two hours later, a Chinese maritime militia vessel bumped a Philippine Coast Guard ship in Philippine territorial waters.

Videos presented by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) show that it was the Chinese vessels that performed dangerous and provocative maneuvers. Fortunately, no Filipino crew member was injured but the supply boat sustained damage due to the collision.

China accuses the Philippine vessels of deliberate provocation and insists that they were the ones that acted in an “unprofessional and dangerous manner.” But really, who has been acting like a big bully and showing irresponsible behavior for the longest time, like pointing a military grade laser at a PCG vessel that resulted in the temporary blindness of a Filipino crew member? Or what about the water cannon attack against Philippine boats carrying food supplies for Philippine troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin?

As PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said, “We do not respond to lies; we only comment on facts. Our narrative is always backed up with compelling images and unedited videos,” underscoring that we adhere to international laws and uphold ethical standards.

Obviously, it’s not the Philippines that has been displaying aggressive behavior. And it’s also quite ridiculous for China to demand that Philippine vessels should seek their “permission” first before conducting supply missions, because Ayungin Shoal is located well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“They have neither jurisdiction nor authority to conduct any sort of governmental operations within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. And no justification they can give will stand the test of credence before our own people and, more importantly, before the whole world,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro pointed out.

The fact is, it’s not only the Philippines that has experienced the aggressive behavior displayed by China over the years.

In October 2018, US guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur was conducting freedom of navigation operations in the Spratly Islands when it was approached by a Chinese destroyer conducting aggressive maneuvers, resulting in a near collision, with the two vessels coming within 41 meters of each other. Had the US destroyer not “slammed on the brakes” and performed a radical maneuver, the two vessels would have collided.

In April 2020, a China Coast Guard ship rammed a Vietnamese fishing vessel near Paracel Islands, causing the fishing boat to sink. Just this August, two Vietnamese fishermen were injured when a CCG vessel fired water cannons at their fishing boat – the same kind of behavior they have shown against Philippine vessels.

At the command conference convened by President Marcos to discuss the collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels, he expressed very serious concern about the latest incidents in the West Philippine Sea. During the oath taking ceremony of newly promoted generals and flag officers, he told the Armed Forces of the Philippines they must be ready to secure and defend our country against emerging threats.

“As the new leaders of our AFP, you are expected to help ensure that the Armed Forces will be more agile, flexible and responsive to better address emerging issues confronting our nation. We must be ready. Our Armed Forces must be capable of securing and defending the archipelago from emerging threats… and must also be ready to adapt and respond to emerging national security and defense realities that exist in our country and in our region,” the President emphasized.

Like-minded nations such as Japan, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, the United States and the European Union have expressed their support for the Philippines and condemned China’s incessant aggression, bullying and flouting of international law that threatens peace and security in the region.

Unfortunately, there are still people in our country who continue to say that we should not poke the Chinese panda bear because it can bite us with its sharp teeth, it has claws and can be vicious when angered. But you should remember that although the carabao has a lot of forbearance and can be extremely patient, it can also be vicious and will go on a rampage when repeatedly poked and provoked.

Known as a beast of burden because it is hardworking, the carabao keeps its head low – but once it raises its head in anger, it becomes a dangerous animal that can gore with its horns. Actually, today the carabao symbol holds a place of honor among many members of the US military.

There is, in fact, a Military Order of the Carabao that was established in 1900 initially as a satirical response to the pompous sounding Military Order of the Dragon founded by members of a US military force that helped quell the Boxer Rebellion in China. While the Order of the Dragon has since faded into oblivion, the Order of the Carabao lives on to this day. What began as a satire has now become a symbol of the “camaraderie that grows among members of the armed forces who face the dangers and privations of extensive military service far from home.”

We Filipinos are a patient and peace-loving people. We do not seek trouble, nor do we provoke it. But if trouble comes poking at us – we will do what it takes to defend and protect ourselves.

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