Stand our ground

The Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) continues to endanger our ship at sea. CCG 5205 repeatedly blocked and rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua last Saturday. The Teresa Magbanua has been in Escoda or Sabina Shoal since April 15. When the anchor was raised to loiter in the area, it was immediately surrounded by no less than 11 Chinese vessels. Seven are militia, two tugboats, and two CCG ships. But suddenly CCG 5205 rammed the Magbanua three times. It is clear in the video that CCG 5205 approached Magbanua intending to collide with it.

So, Beijing's claim that our ship was “illegally stranded in China’s Xianbin Reef, lifted anchor and continued to maneuver and cause trouble” is untrue. Escoda Shoal is only 140 kilometers away from Palawan, so it is within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where we have maritime rights. We don't have to ask permission from anyone to sail within the EEZ. US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson expressed condemnation and noted that the Philippine ship has the right to remain within their EEZ.

China will not stop what it is doing to our ships. Even if they talk about discussing the issue in the West Philippine Sea, the order for their militia and the CCG to continue harassing and ramming our ships will continue. CCG ships are much larger compared to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships. So, it might not be long before our ships suffer major damage putting the lives of our personnel in danger. One bad hit may be all it takes for that to happen.

While it is all well and good the US stands with us, the Mutual Defense Treaty may need to be revisited and include the harassment of our ships. Our officials insist that the Philippines will not fire the first shot. But I think the CCG is deliberately ramming our ships to provoke the crew to fire first, which will give China a reason to use its powerful force to retaliate. The US should take a good look at that scenario.

That's why our personnel on PCG ships or any other vessels large or small have no choice but to endure China's harassment and provocations. They just bite their tongues while making sure to get the bullying on video. It is right that we should stand our ground in the West Philippine Sea. We should not fold in our resolve, and we should not take China’s bait. An escalation will prove disastrous.