Philippines Should Be Armed

That is the point one columnist tries to drive at with a punch as China continues to flex its muscles in the region. Be it so, where do we get money for military build up when here and there the stink of government incompetence and corruption permeates everywhere? Assuming we have money (borrowed or not), is our pocket as deep as that of the second richest nation on earth?

China is a nuclear powered country with two million troops. Other than that, its arsenal is one of the most advanced in the region. God forbid that if China intends to occupy the Philippines, it can do it at will. We are gallant in the battlefield but how could we fight when we cannot deter just one of its fighter jets in bringing devastation and suffering to the country? China can even do better. They could detonate one of their ICBMs or probably a medium to long range missile and the Philippines is done God forbids.

The United States agrees to take our side and defend us. Shielding us from an attack means that they have to install (if not already installed and working) advanced radar system and missile shield similar with what Israel has. Second, history has to repeat itself. Americans and Filipinos fighting and dying side by side against Japan have to be done again extremely speaking. For this country to be defended once more, a deep-authentic sense of patriotism and discipline are required from us so that we can hand down a better country to next generations.

The Philippines cannot defend itself alone.  The government struggles to contain the Communist New People's Army and the terrorist Abu Sayyaf --- corn ears compared with China's military might. 

The United States, committed to defend the Philippines by virtue of the Mutual Defense Pact cannot defend this country by simply installing radars and missile shields.  If worse comes to worst, the US must use its superior military might and manpower to save the Philippines from destruction.

These days, may I ask, how patriotic and disciplined are we especially our leaders? Headlines have the verdict.

If I say that we have no unity and blueprint for a better tomorrow, I believe that many agree with me. Had we have these long time ago, this country is now at par with South Korea if not Singapore or even better.

As the situation in the West Philippine Sea gets more interesting, the Philippines sends its only but the best destroyer/frigate World War II vintage BRP Rajah Humabon in the area.

Can it survive from just one attack from a Chinese fighter jet? Can the Rajah Humabon defend itself?

Sending the “paper boat” in the area asserts our claim on the disputed island telling the world that no matter how small and primitive our weapons are, we are there like an ant but too bad, they just laugh at us.

Say that missile shields are activated, how do we stop one million Chinese invading the country? As I always say, these are interesting times in the history of our nation. Now is the ripe time for us to be united and reinvent ourselves and our visions for a better Philippines.

Tomorrow might be too late.  I hope that the situation will not escalate and may the Chinese who are our friends even before Spain reached our land find ways with our government to settle the issue peacefully and amicably as neighbors and as members of the family of nations.