No water cannons for now

Last Saturday, the Chinese embassy stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (AFP Wescom) made repeated confirmations that the so-called "new model for the handling of rising tensions in the WPS has been approved by key Philippine government officials, including Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.” They claim to have records of communication and negotiations on the matter.

But Teodoro immediately refuted Beijing saying China's latest statement “to justify its illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is a "charade" and only aims to divide Filipinos over the issue,” Sec. Año called the new model "absolutely absurd, ridiculous, and preposterous". He said President Bongbong Marcos Jr. did not give any official orders for any official to enter into any agreement with Beijing regarding the WPS. The AFP also has no reason to investigate AFP Wescom head Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos regarding this issue. China is just executing deceptions to plant doubt in the minds of the people and justify its illegal actions.

Marcos also did not agree to put water cannons on Philippine ships to retaliate against China's aggression. Doing so is sure to escalate tension in the WPS. Right now, we can only remain on the defensive. Diplomacy is still the preferred avenue to be taken by the current administration. Many countries are aware of China’s aggression and are sympathetic to the plight of our people.

Marcos does not want to stoop to the level of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) by prohibiting the installation of water cannons on Philippine ships. Right now, the sympathy of most of the world is with the Philippines. If we start defending ourselves in the same manner as the Chinese, then the world might see this as our problem alone. But I fell for our citizens and men in uniform who have to put up with harm and danger. They just have to bite their tongues for now. But are we just going to wait until someone gets seriously hurt or if one of our ships becomes seriously damaged and sinks? It's very difficult to balance diplomacy and acting in self-defense in this situation.

However, it is still necessary to continue the investigation of Congress on the alleged "gentleman's agreement" between the previous administration and China. They still need to explain whether or not there is one, and what that agreement entails.