‘TOL VIEWS

China’s intimidation of Filipino troops in the West Philippine Sea continues to lean towards more hostile and provocative actions. The videos that showed Chinese coast guards yelling at our soldiers while violently striking Philippine re-supply boats are far beyond alarming. They’re vicious. They’re brutal. They’re cruel. 

Peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea conflict with China seems to grow more and more elusive. While we refuse to let our guards down on the WPS because such has been rightfully declared ours, China continues to cling to it’s ill belief and is ready to engage with rabid force with whatever or whoever stands on the way. I still would like to hope that deadlock has not been reached. I still would like to believe that maritime international laws will prevail. I am counting on the world community to help make China realize, understand and respect the rights and dignities of its neighbor nations.

Amid this escalating and highly volatile maritime rift, the more pressing concern becomes the health and safety of our troops at the BRP Sierra Madre. China is relentless in intercepting re-supply missions and violently pursues every Philippine vessel they spot at sea. The chase game with China cannot go on forever. International intervention will have to be sought.

I have stated in quite a number of recent interviews that in order to ensure the continued supply of basic necessities for our soldiers stationed at the Ayungin Shoal, we need to engage the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC, since its birth in 1863, has been committed to humanitarian action, helping victims of strife, armed conflicts and other similar situations of violence. 

Among the more specific work that the ICRC does include addressing sexual violence, building respect for the law, establishing cooperation with national societies, promoting health, ensuring safe water and habitat, restoring family links, and ensuring economic security and sustainability. 

The movement has done valuable work in war and hunger-stricken countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Israel, Syria, Sudan, Sahel, Yemen, and Ukraine. The independence and neutrality of the ICRC enables the movement to conduct humanitarian work even amidst armed strife, ensuring that collateral damage is reduced to the lowest level possible and providing the much-needed assistance for the victims’ survival, recovery and rehabilitation. 

The situation of our fellow Filipinos in the BRP Sierra Madre may not be as complicated as those caught in war or poverty elsewhere in the world. These men, however, also need help to ensure their safety and sustenance as they stand and defend their beloved land from the ruthless aggression of a bigger nation. 

Our call is for ICRC to intervene in the West Philippine Sea dispute and guarantee the passage of necessary food and medical supplies for our navy troops in the Ayungin Shoal. While all peaceful options to resolve the West Philippine Sea maritime wrangle is being explored, our Filipino soldiers should continue to eat and drink and be free of all perils and ailments. These are basic human rights, and no nation of the world, no matter how big or powerful, should stand in the way of fulfilling this fundamental claim.