Phl has no capacity to wage war vs China

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. yesterday maintained that the Philippines does not have the capacity to wage war against China to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Esperon made the remark amid the results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey which showed that 87 percent of adult Filipinos say it is important that the Philippines regains control of the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Esperon said he is one with those who say that there is a need for the Philippines to assert its territorial claims, but there should be an appropriate way for it.

Esperon said some have argued to simply send more troops to the West Philippine Sea to defend the country's claims, as if going to war.

"[Pero] hindi naman natin kayang makipaggiyera diyan. Alam naman natin kung ano ang ating capacity," he said.

Esperon maintained that the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea should be resolved through diplomatic means.

"Sa diplomatic means mo, magkakaroon ka ng kaugnayan sa ibang bansa. Pangunahin na diyan ang ASEAN," he said.

"Meron ka ring kakayahan na galing sa military, ngunit 'yun ay may limitasyon. Hindi ikaw ang may pinakamalakaas na military sa dako na ito ng planeta," he added.

Esperon said the Philippine government's actions in the West Philippine Sea have allowed Filipino fishermen to fish again in disputed areas.

"Sa mga ginagawa natin ngayon na patrolya na dapat natin malaman ang mga nangyayari doon, diplomatic tsaka intelligence, ay naibalik natin ang pangingisda diyan sa Bangsamoro at nangingisda din tayo sa ibang parte ng West Philippine Sea. Tinatamasa natin ang mga binibigay ng ating maritime domain," he said.

"Nakikiisa ako sa mga nananawagan na kailangan pagtibayin natin ang ating aksyon diyan sa West Philippine Sea," he added.

ESPERON