Are We Surrendering Our Territory To China?

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said as a former solider, he is bothered by the statement of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales recommending that the country give up its stake at the Spratlys Islands because our country can not win against the superpower China.

"While it is public knowledge that the military of the Republic of the Philippines compared with the other super powers is no match under the present day geo-political principles, international treaties and the United Nations playing a role in the resolution of international conflicts, military might is not the sole determinant in the resolution of these conflicts, "the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security explained.

"It is uncalled for, for anyone in government to publicly state that we should surrender to any super power in so far as the protection and defense of our territory is concerned. "

"I support the enactment of a law on the Philippine Base Lines together with the established international concepts of exclusive economic zones, extended continental shelf and other such principles that define the extent of the interest of our country."

"It is important for our soldiers to know what they are mandated to protect and defend because when the soldiers perform their mission, they are putting their lives on the line."

Article II Sec. 3 of the Constitution states that: " The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory."

"The differing pronouncements such as that of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales, Executive Secretary Ermita, members of Congress as to the extent of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines could muddle up our soldier's understanding of the extent of the territory that they are mandated to defend with their lives."

"It is important that the boundaries in relation to national security concerns be clearly defined to guide the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force in their performance of their duties in defending our territory."

"It is not only that they do not know which part of our land, air and sea they must secure, but they may, in the conduct of their patrols go beyond these boundaries and trigger an international incident in an area that does not belong to us, " Biazon cautioned.

Biazon concluded, "Let us make it clear to our soldiers what they are willing to die for."