Renewed fervor

We seem to have a navy that has a renewed fervor in claiming and defending our share of the seas. Last Monday, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel on its way to Pag-asa Island to bring aid and supplies received a radio challenge from a Chinese naval vessel. Our ship responded by saying their voyage was a normal routine, which honestly China knows by now. They just want to harass and flex their military might over smaller nations with similar claims.

Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. expressed disapproval over the latest radio challenge. In his opinion, the Chinese Navy “should not have issued the challenge as it is obvious who is crossing borders.” We have always been the aggrieved party when it comes to claiming and defending our maritime territory. We have upgraded our naval and coast guard capabilities, but it is

nothing compared to China.

Vice Admiral Adaci Jr. said there is no official word from the Palace with regards to joint patrols with the US Navy but states he is all for it. The US Navy has made its presence felt in the South China Sea these past months because of China’s recent intimidation of Taiwan. The US is also a staunch ally of Taiwan. The recently-held Balikatan exercises, the largest in our history, should serve as a precedent for more joint military exercises with the US, our longest and closest ally. You would recall that the Balikatan exercises were scaled down under the past administration. Former president Duterte never hid his disdain for the US while embracing China. It is a lot different now.

While there is no shortage of brave and patriotic soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it still lacks considerable weapons and logistics to patrol and defend our islands and exclusive economic zones. President Bongbong Marcos Jr. recently embarked on an official visit to the US where his counterpart President Biden and Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin reaffirmed their ironclad support of the Philippines in the event of an attack. But we all know that support stops short of disputed territories. A gray area the US does not want to tread, at least for the time being.

For six years the past administration changed its foreign policy to favor China. While Marcos is not going to antagonize China anytime soon, he did work to refresh our ties with the US. Let’s hope the joint patrols with the US Navy happen soon. China has to know it cannot bully everyone else in the sea.