FOLLOWING the latest water cannon incident perpetrated by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) to a Philippine resupply mission boat navigating towards Ayungin Shoal on March 23, former House Speaker and now Davao del Norte 1st District Pantaleon Alvarez calls for the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reassess its strategies in dealing with the Chinese government in the West Philippine Sea.
The rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin Shoal is being conducted regularly to replenish the food and necessities by troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre. But this time the CCG made clear their intentions to disrupt the RoRe mission as they water cannoned the resupply boat injuring several of its passengers including three (3) Philippine Navy personnel.
“I respectfully call for our President Ferdinant Marcos Jr. to stop making decisions and actions that will further escalate the tensions between the Philippines and China. Realistically speaking, we cannot compete with China in terms of military strength. We have allies and defense treaty with the US but are we one 100% sure they will come to our defense? I don’t think so,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez pondered that in light of recent developments and ongoing tensions, it has become increasingly apparent that a more pragmatic and foresighted approach is necessary in order for the country to develop faster and keep up with other developing countries.
“It would be better and wiser if we focus our efforts for poverty alleviation, and support services to increase production and correspondingly, the GDP. We have to address the primary societal issues of our country before anything else,” Alvarez said. “We are even having problems with the rising and recurring illegal drugs issue and hunger and yet we are so preoccupied with the ruckus in WPS. Our present government is not setting its sight straight,” he stressed.
The veteran lawmaker however clarifies that we should not surrender even an inch of our territory in the disputed islands in the WPS. There are just other more important and compelling issues such as poverty alleviation, economic development, livelihood for Filipinos, among others, that the government must first attend to according to him.
“How can we expect to fight, or even retaliate, if our families are hungry with no food on their plate. No jobs and income to provide for their basic needs. We cannot,” Alvarez said
Alvarez further emphasized that the military and the coast guard are not capable enough to face-off with their Chinese counterparts. They will only face danger and their lives are at stake in a confrontation. As the commander-in-chief, President Marcos has the primary duty of protecting the well-being of his troops and soldiers, according to him.
Asked if what President Marcos should do to de-escalate the tension in the WPS between the Philippines and China.
“I will advise the President to reflect and meditate this Holy Week. If Jesus Christ himself made sacrifice for the people, maybe it is his turn to do the same by voluntarily resigning from his position and turn over the functions of the presidency to the duly elected Vice President in the person of VP Sara Duterte,” Alvarez said.
