THIS IS A matter I’ve touched on before, but it’s worth repeating given the current word war.
One of the things that annoy me about those politicians and figures who oppose President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’ policies with regards to the West Philippine Sea is that they see it as a China versus the United States situation, with the Philippines acting as a puppet for the latter. This is a very simplistic assessment.
The situation in the West Philippine Sea involves more than just the US and China. It also involves Japan, the Koreas, India, Australia, Taiwan and the rest of South East Asia. That is why even if the United States were to become ambivalent with the local situation, it won’t end the tensions. It will just complicate the situation but it won’t end it, as some Filipinos seem to believe.
Taiwan is invested in the West Philippine Sea because it opens up a second front against the People’s Republic of China.
Japan and Korea are invested because the region is a major artery for trade, one that they do not want the Chinese to control.
Southeast Asian countries, regardless of which side they choose, are invested for the simple reason that it’s in our backyard.
I think India sees Southeast Asia as a buffer for its Eastern flank, and the Indians do not want it to become a Chinese sphere of influence.
Australia, too, has similar concerns, and they see Southeast Asia as its northern bulwark, which is why they are ramping up their naval assets.
The only question is will the Philippines stand up for itself?
The Philippines already has the support of many of these countries, but that support will mean nothing if we are not willing to stand up for our interests.
Some may argue that we should be neutral by prioritizing diplomacy and dialogue.
But diplomacy and dialogue are ultimately silly things in power politics, and neutrality does not work in this context. Either we remain on the US side or the Chinese. There is no third way, and if or when war starts, only the fools or paid agents think that we can be neutral.
The only question in choosing sides is, which one serves the Philippines’ interests./PN
