China’s show of weakness

What’s next? China used water cannons to drive away Filipino fishermen off Panatag Shoal (“Sino ships fire water cannon at PH fishers,” Front Page, 2/25/14). Will it fire real guns the next time around?

We agree with Col. Rafael Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson: By using force, China showed how weak its claim to the disputed waters is.

Everybody knows water cannons can also harm and injure their targets. Why use these against unarmed fishermen? Of course, to keep away from being hurt, the poor fishermen had no choice but to leave and lose a day’s catch of fish and much-needed earnings.

The Panatag Shoal and surrounding waters are disputed territory. China must first present clear, conclusive irrefutable and internationally accepted evidence to prove the legitimacy of its claim to the territory before it enforces its fisheries laws there. Firing water cannons at helpless fishermen goes against all international norms. It is, pure and simple, inhuman. If China believes that its claim is strong it should submit to international arbitration.

Instead, China has chosen to use force, even as it clearly violates the other countries’ freedom of navigation that international law recognizes.

China also maintains the sea patrols off Panatag were normal patrols. Why then did it use water cannons to drive off Filipino fishermen?

—LON S. MERCURIAL II,

Iba, Zambales