BRAVE WORDS ARE EMPTY IF UNMATCHED BY EQUALLY BRAVE ACTIONS.

BRAVE WORDS ARE EMPTY IF UNMATCHED BY EQUALLY BRAVE ACTIONS.

First the Panatag Shoals, now, the Ayungin Reefs. We are losing territory to China and, aside from complaints, we ca not do anything about it.

It may sound absurd, but pursuing the logic of occupation and extension, China might even proceed now to measure its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone eastward from Panatag near Masinloc, Zambales, and be able to claim Luzon!

With the demonstrated absence of effective resistance to Chinese expansionism, this apparent absurdity could become reality.

Ayungin Reefs is located just 105.77 naut miles from Palawan and clearly within our EEZ and part of Philippine continental shelf as defined by UNCLOS. A few days ago, China dispatched a fleet to Spratleys, cordoned  Panatag and effectively drove the Filipino fishermen away.

Chinese fishing fleets operating with impunity in disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea are often accompanied by naval vessels flying China’s red flag.

So far,the brave words of Pnoy has only underscored a bitter truth: Philippines is a weak nation being led by a weak President.

###