Refusal to champion PHL interests is a dereliction of sworn duty

That Chinese aggression towards Philippine vessels right within our own Exclusive Economic Zone is taking place with alarming frequency does not make it any less reprehensible, legal, or morally right.

- VICTOR ANDRES C. MANHIT

Just a few days ago, on June 20, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels once again harassed Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels near Bajo de Masinloc. CCG ship 4106 shadowed and issued radio threats to the BRP Datu Daya and BRP Datu Bangkaya, falsely claiming the area as Chinese territory.

On the same day, other Philippine vessels — BRP Datu Taradapit and BRP Datu Tamblot — were also attacked with water cannons. The United States, South Korea, and New Zealand have publicly denounced these water cannon attacks.

These incidents are only the latest in the established dangerous pattern where China harasses Filipino fisherfolk, destroys our marine ecosystems, and blatantly ignores international law including the 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It is imperative that as Filipinos, we protest these actions every step of the way, assert our sovereignty, and emphasize the supremacy of international law.

Unfortunately, we have leaders in our midst who, instead of championing Philippine interests, conduct themselves in a manner that betrays our trust.

Unfortunately, we have leaders in our midst who, rather than defending Philippine sovereignty with clarity and conviction, choose instead to cast doubt on our strategic direction. Instead of confronting the real dangers posed by Chinese aggression, they question the wisdom of our alliances and paint our foreign policy as overly reliant on partners who have consistently stood by us.