Anxious and displeased

China is said to be anxious and displeased about how the Philippines is strengthening its maritime assets and assertion of sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Experts and analysts on the situation have urged the country "to immediately conduct regular joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea with like-minded states" such as America, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the European Union to confront China's abusive actions especially when they have resupply runs to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

It is the right of the country to fight for its sovereignty. The AFP and the government have changed their attitudes to Chinese aggression in the WPS with the former showing more courage in standing up to the Chinese, something that was sorely lacking during the administration of President Duterte. Perhaps they were under orders from Duterte. The current administration is now leaning more towards America resulting in a change of Chinese attitude towards the country.

National Security adviser Eduardo Año disagreed with China's statement that the BRP Conrado Yap illegally entered Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Tuesday because they were not informed. According to Año, it is the right of the Philippines under international law to patrol the waters covered by our exclusive economic zone. Why do we have to inform them? Doing so would mean we agree to their territorial claims.

It is not acceptable for China to think that because they have a strong military, they can say or do anything that concerns the WPS or the entire South China Sea. Russia, North Korea, and some countries with dictators also think this way. The country has already used diplomacy through a case filed in the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration. Naturally, like the former president, the decision was not valued. Many experts do not believe incidents such as the collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels will lead to war between the two countries. China knows the dire consequences should that happen. We should therefore continue patrols, supply runs to Ayungin, and commence joint patrols immediately.

It is also time to seriously talk about oil exploration in the WPS, something that has been delayed so many times. If China wants to be part of it where they can benefit, fine. But draw the line where China wants it all. China has already backed out of big infrastructure projects promised during the past administration. It is time to look for another source of funding for these worthwhile projects, one that is not affected by the geopolitics of the WPS and will see the projects through. China has already shown how much of a fair-weather friend it is.