Indefensible

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

When asked about the topic of the joint exploration of the Spratlys, Navy vice chief Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino recently expressed his personal opinion that a joint exploration for natural resources in a disputed territory is a better alternative than war.  Concurrently, Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan stated that while the issue on joint explorations is a matter to be decided by the political leadership, the military is supporting the joint exploration of the Spratlys that is seen as a win-win solution to the problem.

For a country with an equipment-challenged military such as the Philippines, a ranking military official giving that kind of opinion cannot come as a surprise.  When it comes to defending our territory, our military officials know that among all the claimants of the disputed Spratlys Islands, the Philippines has the most ill-equipped of Armed Forces. The fact of the matter is, when faced with a situation where we must face the armed might of fellow ASEAN nations like Taiwan or Vietnam or certified superpowers like China, all our country can do is file diplomatic protests while the protectors of our nation quake in their boots pending the outcome of the pleadings of our diplomats.

If we had a strong military that could stand up to its peers in the region when push comes to shove, the issue of the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking, which allows state owned corporations from China and Vietnam to conduct pre-exploratory seismic surveys in areas that are not just disputed territory, but those that are well within the boundaries of the Philippines as well, would not be as controversial and alarming. 

The term pre-exploration may sound harmless, but it is an expensive prerequisite to full-blown exploration and exploitation, which are sure to follow if the seismic surveys indicate the potential for precious oil and gas. The countries involved in pre-exploration are obviously not doing it to advance Filipino interests. 

Wars have broken out over lesser things, and oil, which is currently priced at historical highs of more than $100 per barrel, is a magnet for conflict.  If this harmless and constitutional seismic survey shows that great treasure exists in that remote area of the Philippines, our diplomats better be able to convince China and Vietnam that it rightfully belongs to us, because if they decide to get it for themselves, our puny military will never be able to hold them back.*