The Department of National Defense hinted that China is showing interest in Benham Rise, over which the Philippines has undisputed claim in the United Nations, as it reportedly scouts for spots to park its submarines. If unimpeded, says the department, this foray could turn into another source of conflict among Asian neighbors, which twisted in the wind earlier as the Permanent Court of Arbitration deliberated on Manila’s challenge of Beijing’s “excessive” claims to the West Philippine Sea with its nine-dash line.
At a threat assessment forum held in Camp Aguinaldo last March 9, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported that Chinese ships were spotted in the Benham area in Northeastern Luzon. He added that satellite photos and incident reports provided the basis for his alert. In fact, he said, a Chinese ship is believed to have had an accident while in Benham Rise, prompting the survey team to send one of its men to a hospital in Surigao.
Former national security adviser Roilo Golez earlier on, in January, cautioned about China’s interest in Benham Rise and said that he feared China was casting lustful eyes on our East Sea.
Aggression has been the mark of China in the past years. Our country does not want to add to the tension that China has been recklessly whipping up in Asia and the Asian region. China, though, continues to challenge our sovereignty and laws by encroaching on our territory. China apparently covets the entire area because of its economic prospects. China’s motive is clear: To build up its military capability to pursue its economic interest.
If only China could show the maturity in dealing with its rival countries in territorial disputes, it would gain more respect not only from its rival claimant-nations and Asian neighbors but also from the whole world. As it is, China is instead consolidating its power in the South China Sea, showing its might and ability to control disputed territories, as well as the flow of commodities for its own economic gain.
ANN R. AQUINO,
isimplyneedyou19@gmail.com