We may not realize it but China derisively hitting our coast guard vessels with water cannons within our EEZ is a not-so-subtle manifestation of how little respect they have for our maritime forces, like peeing at our faces in our “own backyard”.

What to do? My consistent answer is – balance of power in WPS. How? Build alliances with more powerful countries to accomplish that. I’m thankful that the current administration, unintended or not, is doing it.

Make no mistake. I join all Filipino patriots and our international allies in saluting our personnel who regularly undertake the dangerous resupply mission, especially the Ph Marine contingent routinely posted in BRP Sierra Madre. My heart goes out to them.

*****