What?

“What are they talking about?” This was the statement made by National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya and other officials on China’s claim that the country promised several times to remove the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal as China also claims that area of the South China Sea. According to them and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense of past administrations, no such commitment or record was ever made. In other words, that promise was never made to China. This is textbook China. Saying something often enough until it is accepted as truth.

Recently a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel hit a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel with a water cannon as it was escorting other vessels delivering supplies to our soldiers. The incident was immediately condemned by government officials and lawmakers, along with officials from many countries saying they stand with the Philippines “in the face of dangerous actions” of the CCG. Of course, we sent another note verbale to the Chinese Embassy and even summoned its ambassador to talk about the incident.

But the Chinese Foreign Minister was indignant, saying “Ayungin Shoal, which it called Ren’ai Jiao, has always been part of China’s Nansha Qundao.” He even defended the actions of the CCG because the PCG’s vessel disregarded China’s repeated dissuasion and warning. Their maneuvers were professional, restrained, and beyond reproach.” These are the words of a supposed friend.

Doesn’t that make your blood boil? Didn’t the former president recently visit Beijing? I’m not sure what exactly he discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping which he is an uber fan of. Whatever they discussed, it is clear it had no bearing on the CCG’s reprehensible actions toward us.

Ayungin Shoal is ours. That’s why the BRP Sierra Madre was run aground in that area to stake our claim. Now that China has become wealthy and militarily powerful over the years --thanks to most of the world-- it now claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own. I wonder what the Chinese apologists are now saying. Now that a new president rules the country, the Chinese gloves come off. Firing water cannons at a vessel that poses no threat to them is both dangerous and provocative. I will not be surprised if Beijing is deliberately provoking the country to act on these actions. If most of the world stands with us, then all the more we should strengthen ties with them and not push them away. Say all you want, but it is better to have a powerful ally, especially in today’s world of autocrats and the nouveau-riche. It is also time to stand our ground.