By John Clifford Lintao
EXPECT the worst. This was the warning issued by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. over China’s latest military exercises in the South China Sea where it fired ballistic missiles.
Locsin however clarified that it did not take place in Philippine territory, but warned Beijing to “expect the worst” should the drills spill over the nation’s waters.
“I immediately consulted the map and it was clear the naval exercises did not take place in the coordinates of our Philippine territory. However, I warned, and this kind of irritated Beijing, should these exercises spill over to my territory then they must expect the worst,” Locsin said in a television interview.
“I have a specific territory outline and that I will not brook any violation of my territory.”
Chinese military forces launched four missile tests off the Paracels a day after the US announced that it was enforcing sanctions against China’s state firms involved in the massive construction of artificial islands housing military facilities in the disputed waters.
Washington called the action provocative as it further destabilizes the situation in South China Sea.
The Philippines has a 69-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the US that binds America to defend its Asian ally.
“This is one of the things about international practice and that is when you enter a treaty you are bound by it not because they can force you, but if you don’t obey you don’t fulfill the end of your bargain you lose what is known as prestige as a nation,” Locsin said.
Likewise, Locsin said the Philippines is under obligation to come to US defense if its metropolitan territory or military assets are attacked.
Over the years, China has fast-tracked the construction of its man-made islands in previously submerged features, erecting multi-level buildings and runways and has installed surface to air missiles.
These man-made islands have enabled Beijing to rapidly send civilian and military assets in the waters, where Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims, to assert its control and ward off incursions in areas they said are within their territory.
In a show of support for smaller claimants, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it will not allow the China to rule and control the South China Sea.
China responded by telling the US to stop meddling and to avoid stoking tensions in the region.