I'm not so positive and optimistic with letting the Chinese 'walk' over the Republic of the Philippines. I'm a member of our collegiate political science debate team as well as an avid reader concerning the regional discourse occuring in Asia-Pacific==and I will agree with GEC, your servant as well as Ghost's view of China as a growing regional hegemon. However, as a strong nationalist and Philippine patriot, I believe in the importance in the maintenance of the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines--including the right of our 72 provinces--including autonomous regions to be covered by the Armed Forces of the Republic fo the Philippines.
It is evident that the Philippine economy is a rising force in ASEAN--as we have been noted by IMF as well as financial think-tanks as one of the 'ASEAN 5'--which includes Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia as the rising economic force in south east asia. With this economic increase---added with our high population growth---there will be an inevetible need to secure and maintain the necessary natural resources to provide our national growth--as well as maintain necessary human development index. The Spratley Islands --or otherwise known as the Kalayaan group has potential rich natural gas reserves---which would better serve the Philippines in fueling our domestic demand on the said energy source.
Additionally, by the right and declaration of the International Treaty on the Sea and national jurisdiction, the Spratley Islands are within miles of Philippine Special Economic Zones in Palawaan as well as is covered by the Philippine Navy's Northern Command/Western Command. It is by right of geographic location---that these islands are EVIDENTLY Philippine territory. As we speak, there are battallions stationed in Philippine administered Kalayaan Group--and with it are F-5 Freedom Fighters whose sole duty is to protect the Philippine's claim to these zones.
I am in total support of an enlarged Philippine Armed Forces--and if everything goes according to planned under the Arroyo Administration--our air force as well as navy will have the proper means to uphold the Republic's territorial and national jurisdictin without fear and redress for powers abroad. The PRC will dare not take any of our claimed territories---as its government knows full well that the Philippine Navy has engaged Chinese patrol ships time and time again and chased them/if not neutralized some during these proxy military clashes. Per se if China did go to war with the Philippines over these islands--it would not only destabilize the region--but its actions would upset the PRC's relationship with ASEAN--by which the Philippines was one of the founding members--and is a significant member in. Additionally, China needs to take into consideration that the Philippines is a LONG time strategic military/economic ally of the United States of America, the world's only super power. And considering that the United States is THE most greatest contributing factor to the Chinese' economic resiliency--as in America is the largest buyer of Chinese goods--it would be in the best interest of China to refrain from irritating an ally of the United States.
The Republic of the Philippines is a potential regional power--with a massive man power of over 90 million--not including the millions of Filipinos living abroad--with a resilient and growing economy--is not a small power to mess around with. The Philippines isnt Taiwan--which is a nation of a mere 20+ million people. The Philippine's is the 2nd largest nation in all of ASEAN--and has strategic relationships with Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei--as well as strong relationships with Japan and South Korea. Think about the consequences for China----i dont think its worth it for these mere 'spratley islands'.
By right as an archipelagic nation--these islands are OURS. China needs to stay out of South China Sea and leave South East Asia for South East Asians.
Regards
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