The Philippines can be the next Ukraine
2Ukraine has been and still is an innocent victim of the conflict between Russia and the NATO-aligned nations led by the US. The Philippines was also a collateral victim in the conflict between Japan and the US in World War II. The recent developments in the Asia Pacific and the on-going escalation of US build-up of military facilities in the Philippines may trigger a preemptive attack by China against the Philippines.
Such a preemptive bombing will be just like the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This will also resemble the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is a historical pattern, and the Filipinos may end up in devastation like Ukraine. The friction in Eastern Europe between the US and NATO countries on one hand, and Russia on the other, was exacerbated by the attempts of two Scandinavian countries to join NATO.
If Russia would allow itself to be surrounded by all NATO countries, it would be a very difficult situation and would place Vladimir Putin's country in a position of weakness. The attack against Ukraine was a strong political statement from the Kremlin that Russia would not be folding its hands while its enemies are surrounding its territories with NATO and pro-US territories.
In the same manner, China would not watch helplessly while America is consolidating the US linkages in Asia Pacific, with Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and other ASEAN countries, especially the Philippines being increasingly armed and trained by American forces, and with military camps being built up in many strategic locations.
China is not stupid or inept. The series of visits by high-profile American officials to the Philippines and Taiwan are being closely watched by Beijing and certainly Xi Jinping would take preemptive action before China would be surrounded by pro-US installations in the South China Sea. The expansion of the EDCA or the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is being perceived by Beijing as an overt American move preparatory to an armed confrontation.
All of a sudden, Washington is warming up to Manila for the precise reason that the US cannot succeed in preventing a Chinese hegemony in this region without the cooperation of the Philippine government. President BBM is definitely and openly more pro-US than President Duterte. Therefore the defense and military advisors to President Biden are apparently seeing a big window of opportunity in this Philippine administration. After the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Malacañang announced that the Philippines is allowing US military forces access to four more Philippine military camps and installations. This move is preparatory to the coming back of the US bases, which again would make our country a target by America's many enemies.
This is a big deal and this is a very strong message to China that the Philippines, with the help of America will resist, oppose and fight back any attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of our country, and shall defend our homeland come hell or high water. I think that what PBBM did is the only viable and just option.
Without an enhanced US military presence in our country, China would be emboldened to continue harassing our fisherfolks inside our exclusive economic maritime zones. Indeed, I do believe that without more and better logistically-supported armed forces, China would continue bullying us, encroaching on our territories and building up massive and permanent structures in the contested islands in the West Philippine Sea.
But then again, I would maintain my position that when the Philippines opens more and more of its territory to America and gives enhanced and indefinite access to US forces into our camps, we are wittingly or unwittingly provoking China to attack the Philippines as a preemptive move. If that happens then the World War II shall begin. And God have mercy on our souls.
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