Time to study PH policy on disputed WPS – security analyst

After the recent episodes of aggression by Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea,  a security analyst said it might be the right time for the government to reconsider its policy in dealing with its powerful neighbor.

In a report on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday, Dr. Renato de Castro, security analyst and professor at the Department of International Studies of De La Salle University, said it might be the proper time for the Philippine government to study its current policy, particularly after the latest examples of harassment of Filipino ships by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia in the WPS.

“Pinakikita natin sa mundo at sa ating mga alyado na we are trying to moderate our behavior. Ayaw natin mag provoke pero yun nga ang implikasyon ng ating polisiya– we don’t want to further intensify the situation despite the fact na lagi tayong sinisisi ng China,” De Castro said.

(We are showing the world and our allies that we are trying to moderate our behavior. We do not want to provoke but these are the implications of our policy– we don’t want to further intensify the situation despite the fact that we are the ones being blamed by China.)

De Castro said the Philippines should prepare for China’s expansionist plans as it attempts to gain more territory.

“Nagdi-deliver ng speech si President Xi Jinping sa kanyang mga kasundalohan, the People’s Liberation Army at lagi niyang hinuhumok na maghanda tayo. Ewan ko lang ho sa panahon o taong ho ito na nangyayari na routine, iba na ho. Hindi na ho itong nangyayari na routine or symbolic . Kumbaga sinasabihan na niya na maghanda at may binabalak ho sila,” the analyst said.

(In his speeches, President Xi Jinping exhorts his troops in the People’s Liberation Army to be prepared. We don’t know if this time or year, it’s routine. It’s different now. This is no longer routine or symbolic. In effect, he is telling them to get ready since they are planning something.)

De Castro said he does not discount China in making good on its plans but advised the Philippines not to be cough flat-footed when it does.

“Hindi ko dini-discount ho iyun. Kung ganun ho ang iniisip ng mga Tsino maghanda na din ho tayo. Huwag ho tayong matakot o mag despair, kundi maghanda ho tayo,” he said.

(I do not discount China’s plans. If that’s the way the Chinese are thinking we should be preparing ourselves. We should not be afraid or despair but instead we should be prepared.)

In light of this, De Castro said National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano has requested Executive Lucas Bersamin and the National Security Cluster to formulate a recommendation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after developments in the West Philippine Sea.

“Magkakaroon po ng meeting ngayong Monday. Nagrequest ho si National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano ng meeting ng Cluster E. Pag uusapan ho kung itutuloy ba, ganyan pa ba ang procedure o magbabago ng ilang taktika ho,” he said.—RF, GMA Integrated News