Enough is enough

The tables have been turned. Whereas it was the Philippines that used to lodge diplomatic protests over China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, it was Beijing's turn to do so Tuesday after the Philippine Coast Guard, in a bold, unexpected move, cut the floating barrier that the mainland had installed around the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

The rocky outcrop in the disputed waterway has been a flashpoint for tensions, with both nations asserting their sovereignty over the area that is rich in natural resources and a crucial trade route. The situation has escalated in recent years as China has increased its presence around the shoal, blocking Filipino fishermen from their traditional fishing grounds.

Installing the floating barrier was just the latest of the mainland's illegal acts in the South China Sea, which included the militarization of artificial islands and increased maritime patrols that only exacerbated tensions in the region.

The barrier, consisting of large buoys and nets, was seen as a symbol of Chinese control and an assertion of its territorial claim. The decision to cut the barrier was a significant departure from the Philippines' previous cautious approach to the dispute.

Like many other Southeast Asian nations, the Philippines has grown increasingly frustrated with China's aggressive expansion in the South China Sea, which has raised concerns about regional stability and security. China's territorial claims, commonly called the "nine-dash line," encircle nearly the entire South China Sea, contradicting international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

Probably emboldened by the international community's growing support for upholding the rule of law and UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling in its favor, the Philippines may have felt like David in his latest fight against the giant.

President Marcos' order to the Philippine Coast Guard to cut the floating barrier gained the support of netizens fed up with Beijing's bullying tactics in the disputed waterway.

A retired Philippine Marine Corps officer, Col. Ariel Oliva Querubin, a Medal of Valor awardee, put it rather succinctly in a television interview when he said that in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation, the important thing is we have to assert our rights no matter what.

"Hindi naman ibig sabihin pag sinabi nating atin ito, eh giyera na (It does not mean that when we assert our rights, war will follow)," he said.

Despite Beijing's diplomatic protest and strong condemnation, the Philippines can continue to engage in diplomatic efforts and leverage international law to resolve the issue peacefully. It can also collaborate with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and countries like the United States, which have expressed concern over China's actions in the South China Sea, to pressure China to comply with international law.

The Philippines can also opt to engage in direct negotiations with China to address the issue with bilateral talks focusing on establishing a mutually agreeable arrangement that allows Filipino fishermen access to the shoal's waters while respecting China's concerns.

China is expected to demand concessions in exchange for cooperation that could result in an agreement that does not fully favor us.

The Philippines, however, can maintain a non-military presence around Scarborough Shoal, such as with coast guard patrols, to assert its sovereignty without resorting to armed conflict. This approach will demonstrate resolve while avoiding direct confrontation.

We can also explore economic and trade measures to pressure China. These measures could include tariffs or restrictions on Chinese goods or investments, conveying that continued encroachment on Scarborough Shoal comes at an economic cost.

Whatever path this administration chooses, each option has its advantages and disadvantages. We may be small, but so was David. The important thing is we have made our point.

Enough is enough.

E-mail: mannyangeles27@gmail.com