This is a call to fellow Filipinos to be more than concerned with and to get involved in the current standoff between the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal. Let’s be fully aware of the dire implications of this ongoing dispute. Let’s join demonstrations and mass actions condemning what China is doing to our country. China is bullying the Philippines, its government, its people.
China’s continuing refusal to bring the issue before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos) means it is unsure about its claim to the shoal. It shows as well that China has no qualms about annexing territories by force of arms to satisfy its selfish interests.
China is now a threat to all Asean member-countries. It doesn’t care about destroying not only the environment but also diplomatic relations with its neighbors.
—VIC B. SAMAL,
samalvic@yahoo.com