Stronger PH military pressed amid sea dispute

Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday urged the Duterte administration to beef up the country’s military capability so that China and other nations won’t look down on the Philippines as a pushover.

Meantime, the Philippine government does not agree with the recent statement of the Chinese government that it is allowing Filipino fishermen to fish in Scarborough Shoal area as a gestire of goodwill.

Gordon said the government must seriously make every effort to improve the country’s defense and security assets to convey the message that the Philippines, too, is a force to reckon with.

“They can easily intimidate us knowing we have nothing to prove. I suggest that we should have some kind or level of deterrence. Let us show that we also can stand up against anything,” Gordon said in a radio interview, reiterating the need to beef up the country’s armed forces.

Show of force The senator cited Vietnam’s similar maritime territorial dispute with China but was able to assert its rights on its claimed territory.

He also pointed out even India has a border spat with China but was likewise able to show a level of assertiveness against Beijing.

“How can we face them when we don’t even have warships. Our worst enemy is ourselves; we don’t even have any equipment. We don’t have any warfare capability,” Gordon pointed out.

Scarborough fishing issue

“No we don’t accept that,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said over the weekend amid criticism that the government is acquiescing to the Chinese bullying of Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal.

Cayetano said while the government has put its objection on record, it opted not to engage in megaphone diplomacy “because we want to look at the totality of our relationship.”

‘Goodwill’ In a statement last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said China has made “appropriate arrangement” for the Philippine fishermen to fish in relevant waters out of goodwill.

This policy, according to the Chinese foreign ministry, remains unchanged.

Beijing was reacting to complaints by Filipino fishermen that Chinese coast guard members have been habitually taking their catch and paying them ‘peanuts.’ Diplomacy “They know that we don’t (agree). Okay? But why did they say it? They said it because when President Xi and President Duterte talked, ano [ang] sabi noong dalawang leaders? It’s very hard for us or impossible to go beyond our stand,” he said.

He stressed that the Philippine stand is that the Scarborough is “ours” and China is also taking a similar position.

“So either we don’t talk… or we talk and have a tentative agreement. But both sides will give their own reasons,” Cayetano said.

Code of Conduct Gordon said he understands President Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stand on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“I really doubt the President will give up our claims. We are into talks. But still China should respect our President,” he said.

Hence, Gordon said he believes it is time for the Duterte administration to press for a Code of Conduct between China and other claimant countries in the South China Sea / West Philippine Sea.