Eduardo Agutaya Adocal, Metro Manila: The Philippines is the rightful claimant of the contested islets because those islets are within our territory.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: We are no match to China. Our claim to Spratly Islands should be done through international mediation.
Rightfully belongs to us
Louella Brown, Baguio City: Let us claim the Spratly islands. It belongs to us.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: The Spratly Islands are nearest to the Philippines, and therefore these belong to us. Kailangan pa bang pagtalunan ‘yan?
Felix Ramento, USA: If indeed the Spratly are nearest to and within internationally accepted boundaries of the Philippines, then it is the responsibility of the government to do everything within its means to protect this territory.
June Deoferio, Cavite: It is our right to claim the contested Spratly Islands because, under international rules, 200 miles is still within our territorial jurisdiction.
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It is unfortunate for the Philippines to be subjected to too much pressure and stress to a situation where the country has so much at stake. The Philippines is a rightful claimant of the Spratlys because of its proximity to our country.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: All I know is that Spratly Islands are ours, being inside the Philippine territory.
Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: All members of the United Nations are bound to follow its laws and bylaws, otherwise, there will be unnecessary chaos. Our country should not even claim the Spratly Islands because it legally belongs to us. I’m very confident that most members of the United Nations and the Asean will support us.
Don’t be bullied by China
Cesar Ayuban, Manila: Atin ang Spratly Islands. Maski joint venture with China hindi dapat tayo pumayag.
Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: We mustn’t let the Chinese government claim what is ours. The dispute must be solved before it’s too late.
Richard Decena, Quezon City: Ang ating bansa po ang tunay na may-ari ng Spratly Islands at pinatutunayan naman ng Tsina na wala talaga silang respeto sa mga Pilipino.
Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: Nations, like people, can be greedy and bullies. This is China, a country with a huge land mass, and still coveting a tiny place very remote from it, at the risk of starting an unnecessary problem.
R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: The Philippines’ claim, which is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, stands on solid ground. China’s claim, which is based on ancient maps drawn by one of its emperors, is ridiculous in this day and age. Some countries in Southeast Asia could even be provinces of China if we look at those maps, without these countries knowing it.
Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: The Philippines is the nearest country to the Spratly Islands, which lie within the 200-nautical mile boundary, thus belonging to the Philippines. But China, now a superpower, has the balls to bully us. This reminds me of my bully classmates, whom I will pulverize if I meet them now by chance.
Thanks to China
Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Thanks to the bullying of China, our country and other countries have become more aware of our claims, which have legitimate bases.
Give it up
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: We have no sufficient force to secure and protect our sovereignty over Kalayaan Islands. Our claim there will most likely suffer the same fate as Sabah.
Fight for it
Bong Nebrija, Quezon City: If people think that China wants to resolve this issue in a peaceful manner, well they’re wrong. China has claimed our Mischief Shoal in 1995, intruded Scarborough Shoal almost in the same year, and now has claimed Reed Bank. It has asserted its might in this region and has become a big bully. If our government is serious about claiming what is ours, we need to be firm and assert our right. No matter how small or weak our Armed Forces are, we need to let the whole world know that we will do everything to protect our sovereignty, even if we’ll be a David against a Goliath.
Ed Gulmatico, Abu Dhabi: We stick to our territorial rights and sovereignty. If the location is within our territorial waters (which I believe is 200 miles), we must stand up for it. This is the time for our ill-equipped soldiers, due to corruption within their/our midst, to showcase their nationalism and bravery.
Rey Onate, Palayan City: Spratly is clearly part of our country. It is only cowards who will not fight for it. Nasaan si Ocampo at Casino? Tahimik sila.
Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Staking a claim on the Spratly Islands is one thing, but putting markers within and inside the country’s 200-nautical-mile (370 km) exclusive economic zone is pure and simple invasion. This should never be seen as a light and debatable intrusion. Our Navy may be old and small, but the intention to defend is there. That would be enough for any bully to think about.
Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: We are naive to take hold of our boundaries against our neighboring countries. I remember before, when I was young, our claim to territorial jurisdiction on Sabah was a hot issue. Nobody touched jurisdiction over Spratly then. They knew perhaps that it was part of our boundaries. But now, we lost Sabah, and China is advancing to claim the Spratly group of islands. Next if we won’t fight, what will be left for us is just a piece of island out of 7,101.
We command no respect
Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The belief that the Spratly Islands has oil deposits is not yet proven to be true. Granting that it does, would it be of commercial value? The other truth about us is unfortunate. We command no respect in the international community. Malaysia ignored our claim on Sabah, and we have no spine to take it by force. How much more against a giant like China? We might as well concentrate on addressing our other problems that will improve our life and our image abroad. If and when we are looked up to, we can get all those that are due to us with no contest.
J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: It is not only us who wants that Spratly Islands but other Asian neighbors as well. Even if the Philippines lays claim to this group of islands, would the government be able to protect it, especially from China? What’s the military going to do? Use their 19 forgotten warships and airplanes and send troops out there wearing old boots and using paltik guns, while their leaders, especially the generals, enjoy their coffee at Starbucks? The worst part of this is that those people who ranted against US military presence here are now depending on Americans to help the Philippines. Wala naman pala tayong ibubuga. They should put those people in the front lines with the generals to face the Chinese military and see what they can do. All I can say is, the Philippines should just strike a deal with China, work something out together, because as far as I am concerned, the Philippines doesn’t even have bargaining power.
Is it worth waging war for?
Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: The Philippines possesses the legal and historical right of claiming the Spratly Islands, but the big question is: Is our country’s AFP ready to fight against the claimants, which are superior and advanced in military warfare?
We must uphold our rights
Cris Rivera, Rizal: There’s a need for our lawmakers and concerned government authorities to stand as one, and defend and uphold our right over the Spratlys.
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: We have basis for that claim, because he was one of ours who discovered them, a former Navy Commodore, I think. When before other claimant countries didn’t give a hoot about them, now they also scramble for a piece, if not all of the islands, because of its reported abundance in mineral deposits and other natural resources, which could boost any country’s economy. We should continue to fight for our claim, whether diplomatically or militarily.
A diplomatic solution is best
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Geographical maps and history show the Spratly Islands to be nearest to the Philippines among the countries bordering the South China Sea. According to the UN Convention on the law of the seas, “a country’s territorial waters over which it has sovereign rights extend 12 miles from shore and also have the exclusive right to explore and utilize natural resources within a 200 nautical mile economic zone”. Hence, the Philippines has all the right to claim and protect the Spratlys as part of its territory over other claimants, like China and Vietnam. As to the saber rattling by China, this should be settled through diplomatic means and not by face-to-face armed confrontation.
Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: This has been a lingering territorial dispute, where the countries involved don’t seem to be willing to budge. It’s quite risky to provoke a giant like the People’s Republic of China. I believe that a diplomatic approach should be pursued.
Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: I am for a win-win resolution. How to go about this will be up to our leaders. They need to think, strategize, agree, disagree, do some research, cooperate, among others, to resolve this issue.
Diplomacy with other claimants
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: It’s been decades and there’s still no conclusion on the Spratlys issue, and going to war with China would be stupid and suicidal. Our government should exercise more diplomacy with other contending countries.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: By all means, we must assert our sovereignty on the islands, earlier tagged as ours many years ago. We must explore all avenues, a diplomatic approach with other claimant nations in particular, to settle the row. Meantime, we must refrain from issuing unnecessary statements to preempt a volatile situation, but rather start fortifying our defenses in the said islands, ready for any eventuality.
Defense capability is key
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Now, we realize how defense capacity plays a lead role in our survival as a nation. We took for granted that requirement for a strong nationhood.
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: We can always assert our claim to these islands in the international community. Securing them as part of our territory is another sad story.
We need US assistance
Ric Vergara, Calamba: If proximity is the major consideration, Spratly is ours but we are defenseless to claim it. We need US assistance.
Rose Leobrera, Manila: We must let go of that island. If and when we go to war against China and other claimants, we’ll all die, because we do not have weapons as powerful as theirs. Why take the risk when we know fully well that we are weak? We need help from Uncle Sam. Even if we complain about US presence here, we have to face the fact that without Uncle Sam, we are nothing.
Backed by US, Australia
Elmo Cruz, Manila: The Philippines is now getting the nerve to pursue its claim to Spratly Islands, either by diplomatic resolution or battle of power, because of the backing of US and Australia. When the US backed England in her dispute with Argentina about ownership of Falkland Island, Argentina gave way, as it would be useless fighting the US. I wonder if China will be cowed by US and Australia should diplomatic means of resolving the issue fail?
No one ever wins a war
Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Obviously, we have all the right to own those contested islands in the West Philippine Sea. Two alternative solutions are possible: to bring the law of the sea to the United Nations as a peaceful solutionm or go into war participated by allied military might. We might win the war, but surely we would be heavily damaged.
Wait and see
Leonard Kristian Gelacio, Cauayan City: Since we already filed a protest before the UN, claiming control over parts of the disputed islands, we just have to stay calm and courageous.
Search for oil deposits
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: A Filipino ship captain by the name of Tomas Cloma and owner of a maritime school discovered Spratly Islands about 50 years ago and named it Freedom Island. Since it had no inhabitant, he claimed it either for himself or for the Philippines. The island must have been naturally formed lately, that it was not known before. I wonder why the name of Cloma is no longer mentioned in the ongoing contest of ownership by the Philippines, Vietnam and China. Is it the prospect of oil deposits that are driving these countries to claim it? I wonder if the Philippines will pursue its claim if the islands have no oil deposit.
Mutual exploration pact
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Jose de Venecia and Gloria Arroyo should not have signed, without Congress approval, the mutual exploration pact with China and Vietnam to explore the islands, which rightfully belong to the Philippines. Now, we are forced to honor the agreement. The best thing to do to lay claim on these islands may be to move Metro Manila squatters there. Possession is nine-tenths of the law.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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