Threats
The Philippines has been obviously left behind in the development of islands it claims in the South China Sea. Way ahead of everyone is China, of course. The three artificial islands it created have runways that would rival that of NAIA. The islands surely have their own power, and means to supply fresh water to its inhabitants. Large buildings can be seen on available photographs. They also have piers that can service the largest of vessels. Weather stations, complete with radar, supposedly for civilian use, have long been installed on the islands.
Vietnam is second, with the most number of occupied features. Based on available pictures, the structures are for the soldiers stationed there. China has frequently protested Vietnam's presence on these features. But for Hanoi, what is theirs is theirs. Although Taiwan occupies only one of the islands, it is the largest of the Spratlys. It has its own supply of fresh water. It has an airstrip, lighthouse. Soldiers are garrisoned there. Malaysia also occupies several islands, which have offshore stations for its Navy. One of the islands has an airstrip, and even a resort.
Last year, Defense Secretary Lorenzana landed on Pag-asa island, even raising the flag, to the consternation of Chinese officials. According to him, funds were already available for the development and improvement of the island, specifically the coral runway. It remains at its present state. Pilots allegedly have difficulty landing, since the runway is not paved. There is no proper port for large ships. Supply ships have to anchor kilometers away and be serviced by smaller boats.
And of course, there is Ayungin Shoal and the BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the barracks for our Marines. The ship, which was intentionally run aground in 1999 as a response to China's occupation of Mischief or Panganiban Reef, is decrepit.Supply runs have often been met with Chinese blockades and intimidation. China would just love to remove that ship. With no repairs being done on the ship, how long can the Marines safely stay there?
On the issue of China's deployment of anti-ship and anti-air missiles on the three islands, the reaction of the Philippines was soft. According to Roque, National Security Adviser Esperon said the country does not have the technology to verify the presence of said missiles, which China has practically confirmed. But don't we have aircraft capable of long range reconnaissance, such as our C-295s? Can't they reach the three artificial islands?
It all has to do with this administration's foreign policy of refusing to anger the Asian giant, in exchange for financial development. That's why nothing has been done on Pag-asa, that's why the BRP Sierra Madre remains in its dangerous state; that's why we cannot send a plane to verify the missiles. President Duterte himself said the missiles are not pointed at us, since we are not a threat to China. No, we're not. China is a threat to us. A threat to freedom of navigation and overflights in the region.Pilots and seafarers know that all too well.
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