Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first. — French President Charles De Gaulle
THE Chinese Embassy may have taken offense at defense secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro’s firm words on the West Philippine Sea, but for civic movement leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, the real issue here isn’t diplomacy but the country’s dignity as a sovereign nation.
“Secretary Teodoro is standing up for the Philippines,” Goitia pointed out. “That’s not provocation, that’s patriotism.”
Goitia, a known champion of Philippine sovereignty, did not mince his words: “Teodoro’s bold remarks in Singapore are long overdue,” he noted while praising the defense secretary’s clarity in stating that China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea are rooted in its own agenda (and) not because of American influence, as Beijing often claims.”
“This isn’t about the United States. It’s about the Philippines. It’s about protecting what’s ours. If someone keeps entering your house uninvited, do you blame the neighbors or confront the intruder?” Goitia stressed.
He dismissed the Chinese Embassy’s accusations, calling Teodoro “irresponsible” and “misleading” as nothing more than deflection.
“They call it destabilizing. I call it telling the truth. We’re not trying to claim anything that isn’t ours. But we won’t apologize for protecting our own,” he asserted.
Goitia mentioned years of Chinese harassment on Filipino fishermen, destruction of coral reefs and its aggressive behavior in Philippine territorial waters as proof that the country has long been under siege from the Chinese.
“When a Filipino official speaks out against that, we don’t silence him. We support him. Because he’s not just defending territory. He’s defending our future.”
And Goitia didn’t stop there because he offered what he called his “four cents” on how the Philippines and its neighbors can strengthen their stance on the issue.
“My (. . .) suggestion on the WPS: the December 1987 Manila Declaration among ASEAN member countries should be reviewed again, particularly on the principle of ZOPFAN—Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality in the WPS,” Goitia stressed.
“We will never get a positive response from China because their secret weapon is their veto power in the United Nations Security Council. ASEAN and other regional groups should unite to revise the UN Charter, especially on the issue of membership and its functions,” he focused on.
In ending Goitia underscored that the path forward lies in regional unity, not empty diplomacy.
“We need to stop hoping for fairness from a system where China holds all the cards. It’s time ASEAN pushes back as one. Let’s level the field. We can’t afford to be naive. The West Philippine Sea is not just a political issue. It’s about food, resources, security, and national pride,” he concluded.
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