Protect WPS frontliners

Dear Editor,

Recent events in the West Philippine Sea, in which Chinese vessels have used lasers and water cannons, and then intentionally bumped Philippine ships resupplying the BRP Sierra Madre, are showing ever-worsening acts of harassment by Indo-Pacific bully China. 

Kudos to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard who have not blinked in the face of the blatant transgressions by Chinese forces that have made Philippine territorial waters their playground of mischief. 

And the world has taken notice with many countries like the United States and Australia voicing their concern that China is getting more and more brazen in claiming the whole of the South China Sea as part of its sovereign domain. 

Of course, China's nine-dash-line claim had been thrown into the wastebasket by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, while affirming the Philippines' right to its 200-nautical exclusive economic zone within the WPS.

Even as he was hosting no less than the Australian Prime Minister, US President Joe Biden just could not resist warning China that any attack by it against any Philippine vessel in the WPS would put in play America's Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.

Whether China would dial down its antics in the WPS remains to be seen, however. 

Over the years, China has asserted its ownership of Ayungin Shoal and other areas in the WPS, disregarding the arbitral ruling. Even if China argues that Philippine vessels are transporting construction materials to repair the BRP Sierra Madre, it does not justify its actions. 

It is well within the rights of the Philippines to repair its commissioned Navy ship serving as a permanent troop outpost in what is, after all, our territory. 

Ayungin is just over 100 nautical miles from Palawan, while it is over a thousand miles away from China. So how can China ever claim it to be part of its territory? 

In addition to lodging protests and sending diplomatic notes to Beijing, the government should prioritize the well-being of those stationed in the West Philippine Sea, as they consistently face dangers while fulfilling their duty to safeguard the country's territories.

I sincerely hope that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of these individuals from China's evident acts of intimidation.

Brent Cruz

sensui_mavi@yahoo.com