![[ANALYSIS] BRP Sierra Madre and the complexities of geopolitics in the West Philippine Sea](https://i.headtopics.com/images/2023/8/22/rapplerdotcom/analysis-brp-sierra-madre-and-the-complexities-of--analysis-brp-sierra-madre-and-the-complexities-of--CD96EE93124D9354FA479F9856124058.webp)
'If the US and the other allied countries are not prepared for an escalation of tensions in the WPS, then they would surely discourage us from pursuing aggressive options'
Let me start by saying that all policy options to protect Philippine territorial integrity and national interests should be on the table, regardless of whether these may cause the escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea or not. However, the more “aggressive” options should only be resorted to with the consent of the alliance, specifically the United States, since it is the acknowledged primary source of strength of our country in facing China in the WPS.
To illustrate, back in 2012 during the Panatag Shoal standoff, our country was locked in an intense staring contest with China. Our three Philippine Coast Guard ships were valiantly holding their ground against 80 to 100 vessels inside and around the shoal. The tensions were escalating by the day and there were actual risks of an armed conflict, but President Benigno Aquino III was willing to maintain the standoff for as long as necessary to protect our territory.
Fortunately, the China back in 2012 was also different from the China today, which is why it also wanted to de-escalate the Panatag standoff. First, their president then was Hu Jintao, who is largely perceived as a moderate. Second, China, like the US, was also scheduled to have a change in leadership in November 2012 and the Hu Jintao regime didn’t want the Panatag standoff to be used by the rival Jiang Zemin/Bo Xilai faction at that critical time.
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