Right tack in dealing with territorial disputes

Filipinos should welcome the recent efforts of Japan to step up support for the Philippines by sending two of its warships to its regional ally, in the hope of making China rethink its actions in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Navy and Japan’s conduct of their first bilateral naval exercise will shoot at China’s dreams of dominating the region and bullying its smaller neighbors. More than that, it proves that our country is truly not alone in dealing with the issue of our territories, and our government has been apt at taking both the diplomatic and militaristic approach, at least indirectly, to address our maritime concerns.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ leadership also did the right thing again by going to Pag-asa Island along with the media, like last year’s trip to BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. Although we are far from stopping China’s reclamation projects and bullying at this point, the projection of our alliances with other countries contributes to our end-goal of raising international awareness and condemnation on China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

In this case we can say that what we lack in equipment, we have plenty in strategy. And just as our government strives to strengthen its cooperation with our neighbors and allies, the best thing we can do is stand united as a people.

—RAMIL ESTEBAN, jil.resteban@yahoo.com