In the face of odd, distressing realities and potential, impending ominous, fearsome repercussions for China on account of its sly, onerous manners and its brutish, inhumane acts and intentions vis-a-vis the West Philippine Sea crisis, the Chinese officials bluff.

Be wary of Beijing's sweet and bitter words. Pseudo. Phoney. Theatric. Grabby. Rapacious. Action speaks louder than words.

The Chinese keep mouthing a mantra as if it has magic to sucker Filipinos. They insist, "the disputed sea is not the sum total of Philippine-China relations" as if the words carry sense and substance, and as though they mean well when they say it.

What relationship is possible between the Philippines and China in light of the latter's browbeating in the contested body of waters, including those that clearly belong to us? Or, what is left in a "friendship" between two people wherein one grabs and robs what belongs to the other and continues to grab and rob more, with threatening and threatening the grabbed and robbed, used and abused "friend?" Subterfuge.

What is wrong with Filipino vessels bringing much-needed supplies to our marines stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in our Ayungin Shoal, which we have been doing for so long?  Why do Chinese vessels harass them and fire water cannons and blinding lasers at our people? Isn't that clear banditry and hooliganism? Marauders. Who will do that to a 'friend?' "Let us not love with words but with actions and in truth." — 1 John 3:18

I agree with our Chinese-Filipino senator, Sherwin Gatchalian, when he said the other day that "what we need is to have a dialogue" with China. Sounds good, but the beef is that China continues to send messages to us through its bullying acts.

Thus, our country needs to respond accordingly, of course. By God's grace, we have been responding peacefully, patiently, and humbly through diplomatic, friendly means via diplomatic protests and notes verbale, and by summoning to Malacañang the Chinese Ambassador, to convey our laments and grievances to Beijing. Isn't it tantamount to a dialogue?

Gatchalian suggested that our government should take a "soft approach" in dealing with Beijing.  But what "soft approach" does anybody have (as a matter of option) toward an intruder, grabber, and thief in his house, doing daylight rape and robbery before his very eyes?

(renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com)