The Real Score in the South-East Asian Sea / West Philippine Sea/ South China Sea

The BRP Sierra Madre from "A Game of Shark and Minnow" - New York Times

"Eight Filipino servicemen live on this forsaken ship..."  writes this NYT interactive page.

I hope everyone reads and looks at this interactive page to understand the Philippine situation and the condition of our Marines stationed in the Spratlys and Scarborough and our civilians in some of the islands.

It is clear to me that  China is imposing its might, the US will only act according to its national interest, and the Philippines is left on its own.

While some of our political leaders and other enterprising people steal billions of pesos a handful of our armed forces personnel live in the rusting ship BRP Sierra Madre, far away from their families to protect our national rights.  Read the original NYT page.

We, as a nation, should ACTIVELY PROTECT our patrimony.  Our leaders in power should act wisely and nobly while ordinary citizens educate themselves and make their voices heard whenever able.  We need the oil, natural gas and fisheries now.  If we can't enjoy this now then it is at least our duty to preserve these rights for future generations to enjoy.

While some of our political leaders and other enterprising people steal billions of pesos a handful of our armed forces personnel live in the rusting ship BRP Sierra Madre, far away from their families to protect our national rights.  I also wish that our naval and coast guard fleet and manpower can focus on patrolling and maintaining our presence in the area rather than wasting their resources on catching Filipino smugglers whose greed are not helping the national cause at all.

Lines indicating the Spratlys & Scarborough Shoal, China's nine-dash line claim and the 200m ECC.  Read/View original New York Times interactive page.

Read the article.  Understand the statements.  Look at the photos and images -- the condition of our armed forces patrolling the stations and the civilians in some of the habitable areas.  There is no need to read between the lines.  It's as clear as it can get.

We will not advocate belligerence.  We should sincerely abide by the principles of international law and comity but  in no case should we sleep on our rights.

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