MANILA PHILIPPINES – Despite facing overwhelming numbers and harassment from the China Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. still wants to go through a diplomatic talks on the rising tension in WPS.
Abalos emphasized as a lawyer, and veteran politician, as long as possible, the Philippines should have to hold back.
But, as a Filipino, he said, we need to protect our territories from possible external threats to our security.
Although he said that the Philippines has allies including United States we can’t afford to have a war.
“Baka wala na tayo lahat bago dumating ang amerika, remember what Mc Arthur said ‘i shall return’ when did he return? 4 years after,” abalos said in a forum in Manila.
Abalos says he is worried because we are not ready for a war.
In the most recent incident between the Filipino soldiers and the Chinese coast guard released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), CCG personnel violently attached ropes to tow the AFP’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat while threatening to injure an AFP soldier with a pickaxe.
In addition, blinding strobe lights were also used to damage the vision and coordination of the Filipino soldiers.
A CCG personnel wielding sharp weapons was also captured on video threatening AFP troops.
8 individuals were injured here while the AFP confirmed that one of the Navy personnel was seriously injured.
Also due to the severe harassment by China, some of the AFP ships were damaged, including its communication and navigation equipment.
Despite this, the AFP has maintained its professionalism and firm commitment to uphold international law and maintain peace in the region.