Newspaper reports quoted Gazmin as saying: “We cannot stand alone. We need allies. If we do not (seek allies), we will be bullied by bigger forces and that is what is happening now. China is already there, staying in our territory.”
Gazmin must be referring to the situation in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag, off Zambales which is no longer accessible to Filipino fishermen since April 2012 and Mischief Reef in the Spratlys , which was China occupied in 1995.
It is feared that China would take over Ayungin Shoal, some 25 miles away from Mischief Reef.
Gazmin further said: “What will we do? We cannot attack. We are just going after them in court. But in spite of that, they are still there. They do not want to leave.So what will we do? Should we just wait until they are at our very doorstep? They are already in our garage, right?”
This is not just any wimp of a bureaucrat talking. He is the SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE!
Gazmin heads the department responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country.
Is it any surprise that China’s People’s Daily responded with a rebuke:”The Philippines, knowing that it’s weak, believes that ‘a crying child will have milk to drink’.”
China’s rebuke hurts, of course. But what cuts deeper is Gazmin’s pathetic stance. His solution is even something to be concerned of because constitutional and sovereignty questions.
Also, how sure is Gazmin that the Americans will come to the rescue of the Philippines in case of hostilities against China in the South China Sea.
The Americans have always issued strong statements against China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea and their new policy of re-balancing would move 60 per cent of their Navy’s fleet to the Pacific by 2020 but it is doubtful if it would want to be actively involved in a war against China in defense of the Philippines.
In fact, early this month in Bangkok, Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, after saying the usual line that the US will not allow any change of the status quo by force, advised parties in the South China Sea conflict to compromise. He said the US would not take sides and stressed the importance of a code of conduct that would govern activities in the South China Sea.
Those who have the illusion that the US will come to the rescue of the Philippines against China cling to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty which states that “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”
“…in accordance with its constitutional processes” means even if President Obama wants to send troops to help the Philippines, he would need approval from US Congress. That would involve debates which could last months. While they are debating whether they would risk American lives to help the Philippines,the Chinese must have sunk whatever is left of the Philippine Navy ships.
Also, as we ask US and Japan to help us against China, we are also asking China a favor to save a convicted Filipina drug courier from the death sentence. China snubbed the request. They said they have no time to receive Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was supposed to personally convey the President’s appeal.
Ano ba naman tayo?
Aquino: “We will defend what is ours” !
Gazmin: “But sir, which one is ours” ?
del Rosario: “Ours is but to do and die”.
PATHETIC !!!
–>Miss Ellen, any suggestion for that kind of situation?
Pathetic…
Ellen, everything is given and clear. We cannot fight china toe to toe but be as it may, would you just allow anybody to take away what is yours and bash your own kind instead? Pathetic. ..
kailan ba n’yo nabalitaang ang isang gusgusing daga ay kayang takutin o labanan ang isang handang manlapang tigre?
ang amerika ay merong sariling interes na pinagangalagaan at hindi maaaring asahang damayan ang pilipinas na mistulang isang pulubing wala na siyang magiging pakinabang laban sa china’ng kahit mag-one on one sila ay alam niyang siya (US) ay maaaring mahirapan.
sa halip na maghanap ng kakampi sa labas ng bakuran ay mas maigeng ipuning lahat ng ating mga lider ang ating resources (lakas tao), bigyan ng pagsasanay at i-motivate upang ikintal sa isipan ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng pamayanang nabubuklod ng pagkakaisa upang ipagtanggol ang ating soberenya. subalit bago ito ay magpakita muna sila (mga lider) ng tunay na sinseridad ng paglilingkod upang pamunuan ang taong bayang nagluklok sa kanila sa poder.
sakaling may balak nga ang china na sakupin ang pilipinas ay MAS gugustuhin ko na ang sila ang mamuno sa ating bansa kaysa karamihan sa kasalukuyang nasa gobyerno na walang iniisip KUNDI lokohin ang tao!
pustahan tayo, kapag ginusto ng china na giyerahin ang pilipinas ay parang winalis ang mga nasa kongreso at senado. magtatakbuhan ang mga ‘yan sa mga bansang kanilang maaaring pagkanlungan upang doon gugulin ang kasiyahang dulot ng limpak limpak na salaping kanilang naipon galing sa pork barrel.
‘yang si penoy ay dalawang kamay pang iwewelkam ang mga intsik dahil kalahi sila ng kanilang angkan. tuloy ang kanyang ligaya sa paglalaro ng kanyang paboritong computer games.
Wala akong nakikitang madaliang solusyon sa problemang ito kundi i-zip muna ang bibig ni Gazmin kasi sinasabi nya sa Tsina lahat ng ating weakness, tuloy ang dali para kunin nila ang ang mga isla na inaangkin. Dahil whimp ang stand ni Voltaire, hindi malayo pag-interesan ng Tsina ang buong Pinas.
Please read the whole article and understand it.Especially the part whether expecting the US will fight China for the Philippines is realistic.
Read the provision of the MDT that I cited.
#4sa halip na maghanap ng kakampi sa labas ng bakuran ay mas maigeng ipuning lahat ng ating mga lider ang ating resources (lakas tao), bigyan ng pagsasanay at i-motivate upang ikintal sa isipan ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng pamayanang nabubuklod ng pagkakaisa upang ipagtanggol ang ating soberenya. subalit bago ito ay magpakita muna sila (mga lider) ng tunay na sinseridad ng paglilingkod upang pamunuan ang taong bayang nagluklok sa kanila sa poder. -MPR
Tumpak, Mag.
wimp not whimp.
Ang salita ni Gazmin ay salita ng karuwagan, umaasa sa inaakalang kakampi para ipagtanggol ang Pinas. Inangkopo, hindi kaya kakampi ng Tsina si Voltaire? 🙂
I posted this in FB:
The issue is not telling the truth. It’s STRATEGY. He is a DEFENSE SECRETARY. He should know that in a battle, it’s not only being truthful. It’s STRATEGY. Tama ba yung strategy. Read the last last paragraphs of the article. Bakit mo paglandakan ang iyong kahinaan. Is that good leadership?
Read the part of the article where I talked about the probability of the US sending their soldiers to defend the Philippines against China. Anybody who believes the US will risk the lives of their soldiers for the Philippines against China (who they do a lot of business with) is hallucinating.
Si MPR dating sundalo. He knows the importance of strategy.
May kilala ba kayong commander na pinaglalandakan sa buong mundo na mahina lang sila,kawawa at walang magawa?
Definitely not realistic in all angles that US will fight China for Pinas.
Apart from the MDT as mentioned above, US is now weighing
China’s military might, baka mapapahiya na naman sila kung susubukan ang Tsina. Also, gustuhin man ng US na tumulong, ayan nga ang MDT which makes it almost impossible for US to help us in an instant. Baka lusaw na ang pinoy hindi pa natatapos ang dakdakan sa US Congress.
#4. Agreed, Magno!
Strategy ni Gazmin lalong nagpapahamak sa Pinas.
Di ba strategy ni Kris ang magbulgar ng lahat ng kahinaan sa publiko? 🙂
yan ang hirap satin mga Pilipino imbes na palakasin pa natin lalo ang moral ng ating mga opisyal para manindigan sa ating pinaglalaban ay may mga pilipino nmang imbes na mkatulong nakadagdag pa sa problema!,,buti pa ang ibang lahi sumusuporta sa pianaglalaban natin,,kung wala karin lang nman masabe maganda sa sitwasyon nato mabuti pang manahimik ka nlang
Akon, ang palpak na mga opisyal, pinupuna para ayusin niya ang trabaho niya dahil pinapahamak nila ang bansa.
sa halip na maghanap ng kakampi sa labas ng bakuran ay mas maigeng ipuning lahat ng ating mga lider ang ating resources (lakas tao), bigyan ng pagsasanay at i-motivate upang ikintal sa isipan ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng pamayanang nabubuklod ng pagkakaisa upang ipagtanggol ang ating soberenya. subalit bago ito ay magpakita muna sila (mga lider) ng tunay na sinseridad ng paglilingkod upang pamunuan ang taong bayang nagluklok sa kanila sa poder.-MPR
MPRivera hindi masama ang mki pag alyansa o humingi ng tulong sa ibang bansa tulad ng amerika.Ang japan at S.korea di hamak na may kakayahan silang depensahan ang kanilang mga sarili laban sa banta ng kanilang bansa humihingi pa ng tulong sa US tayo pa kaya ultimo eroplano natin wala pang bumabaril kusa ng bumabagsak!
there is no shame of seeking help to allies.
In this time we need help from a strong allies to have time to have a credible defense
China will take all our islands if we do nothing.Kung sa tingin mo MS ELLEN na kung sa pagipon ng mga resources natin ay kaya natin labanan ang china you’re definitely wrong.Our resources are obsolete.that is why we are modernizing it.
One question?
You on your side, what you will do if someone enter your house with high powered gun and try to run sacked your property with the only weapon you have is just a pair of old sleepers.Would you get your old sleepers and fight that SOMEONE with a gun,Or should you go to the nearest friend and ask for help.?if your answer is GO TO YOUR NEAREST FRIEND AND ASK FOR HELP,Does it make you look like PATHETIC
or that’s the best way you can do.
Sa ganitong pagkakataon, wala naman talagang masama kung humingi ng tulong sa isang “kaibigan” – pero dapat siguro, palihim. Hindi sa paraang halos aminin mo na sa kaaway na mahina ka.
Sa tanong ni danny (#17): ‘if your answer is GO TO YOUR NEAREST FRIEND AND ASK FOR HELP,Does it make you look like PATHETIC” – asking your neighbor for help, per se, would not make you look PATHETIC. What would make you look PATHETIC is actually telling the intruder that you are on your way to ask your neighbor for help. I think, this is a better analogy that explains Ms. Tordesillas’ point.
Danny, read # 10.
The question of whether or not the US will go to war for the interest or defense of the Phl can be answered by “during the Cold War, each of the Nuclear Power country will use other to fight their War by Proxy for the simple reason that no One of them wanted to Start the Armageddon or the Nuclear War… Therefore the US will not Fight China for Anyone other than for the USA..I believe that is the only possible answer ..
My post above will be best illustrated in Afghanistan during the Soviets Invasion.. The US Instead fought that war by proxy, using the Pakistanis and Afghans rebels to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan and China and the soviets used the Vietcong and supported the North to drive out the USA From Vietnam..These Big Boys just don’t want to fight each others face to face. Not for the Phl and not for anyone but it they do someday they will For Themselves and that will be a Good Fight..I still put my bet on the good USA for the reasons that she has some very loyal friends in GB, Australia, Canada, NewZealand and maybe the Irish and Japan.
Ellen wala akong mkitang dahilan para ipahamak ni Gazmin ang bansa natin,ang pagsasabe na mahina tayo at kailangan natin ng tulong ng ibang bansa ay pawang katotohan lamang at alam ng china at nang boung mundo na wala tlaga tayong lakas kaya nga binubuly nila tayo.Sa tingin mo anu ang the best aproach para tigilan tayo ng china?,kahit triplihin pa natin budget sa defense hindi natin kaya ang china ng mag isa,ngawa na natin lahat ng paraan mapa diplomasya man hangang sa UN pero lalo lang nagiging agresibo ang china sa pag angkin sa buong west phil sea at sa tingin ko tama si Sec. Gazmin na kailangan natin ang tulong ng amerika dahil kahit ang japan at korea na kayang palagan ang china ay nagagawa pang humingi ng tulong sa Amerika tayo pa kaya?,sosmaryosep!
So what do you suggest, Ms. Tordesillas? If you were in Sec. Gazmin’s position, what would you do re China? How do we handle China’s bullying and imperialism? It’s so easy to criticize. The hard part is coming up with viable solutions / options. If all you can do is criticize, if you can’t come up with viable alternative solutions, then maybe it’s best to just shut up.
Ellen, we know that you are a good writer, and that you have made your mark in the Journalism industry. However you should not forget your heritage and must maintain some loyalty to your country. What you have written will surely be a big issue in China. Sana, tinagalog mo na lang para di masyado maintindihan ng mga kalaban. Nagbukas ka ng sugat na pinadugo mo pa lalo.
answer to ka enchong #18
kung humingi ka ng tulong ng palihim,posible na habang humihingi ka ng tulong sa kaibigan mo ay patuloy na kukunin ng magnanakaw ang ari-arian mo, hahayaan mo ba na habang wala ka ay nakawin nya ang pag aari mo?
I think its better na alam nya na humingi para mag dalawang isip sya na gawin yun?
There’s a case that sometimes you need to make noise to destruct your enemy while you do not have the ability to protect yourself.
Anne de Bretagne’s comment in FB:
There are times when high level or key Cabinet officials just do not have to explain. Or if they must explain, they must couch it in such a way that we don’t appear more stupid than we already are… Ellen is right… I too felt Pinas being more kawawa than I should feel for it after reading Voltz’ explanations… I know what he’s saying is right, but leave it to darn bloggers and to Facebookers (for example) to say things as graphically as he said things… The highest defence official of the land must sound and appear strong for PH even if PH is in deep shit! Really, really!
Ms Ellen, Gusto ko lang pong ipaalam sa inyo na china knows na ang Pilipinas ang pinakamahinang bayan sa Asia so we don’t have to cover it up.
Tinutulungan na nga tayo ng ibang bansa eh wala pa tayong utang na loob at pinagdududahan pa natin. Ano ba yan?
Gusto nyo na ba talaga na pasakop na lang tayo or do you have another hidden agenda.
wait guys MPR is conceiving a tactical offensive.
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“All warfare is based on deception.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”
― Sun Tzu
“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent s fate.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
“To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the
opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
When in doubt, empty the magazine.
—
It’s God’s job to forgive the Chinese, it’s our job to arrange the meeting.
-Tongue Choo, The War of Art
#37. Hahahaha
Kaya lab kita Tongue.
Ellen you have 1,215 comments in yahoo as of 4pm.
akon and others, please read this:
An excerpt from former Sen. Rene Espina’s article, “Cabbage Strategy”:
“……… our action in bringing the matter to the UN Arbitration Tribunal for compulsory arbitration is substantially advantageous. But we should not allow the bullying actions of the People’s Republic of China in the West Philippine Sea to continue without a proper response. First before we can even determine what the Philippine reaction would be, let’s all agree that our attitude as a nation would be like that of the “red ants.” When an animal tramples on a red ant hill, their “warrior ants” come out to fight; not even a panda would escape their wrath.
Let those who think they can scare us realize that we are like red ants. We will defend our territory with whatever resources we have. By all means let us acquire the necessary armaments that will produce the most effective defensive and offensive capability with the least cost and, at the same time, with the least vulnerability.
…………… we should stop buying second-hand armaments like the refurbished US Coast Guard Ships. They could become sitting ducks against the PLA Navy which has missiles. Ships and airplanes are just platforms for weapons, so that they can be carried and brought for action in the theater of operations. We are facing a PLA that has numerous ships, airplanes, and helicopters. So, two US Coast Guard Ships which the Philippine Navy has just acquired are nothing compared to the strength of the PLA Navy. Instead why don’t we acquire state-of-the-art missiles that will provide defensive and offensive capabilities that will at least cover our territorial waters as well as the exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. Let’s use the “BRP Palawan,” “Mindoro” and “Zambales” – “our unsinkable aircraft carriers.”
…….. these provinces can be armed with missiles that cover the Spratlys as well as Scarborough. Perhaps with the existence of such “unsinkable warships,” our diplomatic initiative to settle peacefully our dispute will be addressed by the opposing party with serious consideration.
In realpolitik, foreign relations can be conducted with better chances of success when that country has the means to credibly defend its territory.”
rene.g.espina@gmail.com
hindi nga masama ang humingi ng tulong subalit bago ka himingi ng tulong sa kaibigan, TULUNGAN mo muna ang iyong sarili at timbangin kung hanggang saan ang iyong magiging kakayahan kung sa gitna ng labanan AY BIGLA ka niyang iwanan!
OT
Edward Snowden granted asylum.
By Jamalul Kiram.
MILF says they were first.
we have more than enough fund to buy modern armaments, materiel and equipment, KINUKURAKOT nga la’ang mula pa noon ng mga suwapang na nasa poder! sila (mga lider) ang ayaw maging self reliant ang pilipinas sa harap ng ganitong sitwasyon.
On topic.
The US wants to pivot to Asia in the focus of its foreign policy. Conventional wisdom will say China does not want that, because there will be a competitor for influence in Asia. So why does China seem to be baiting the US? Is there some other place in the world where China wishes less US attention?
# 31
“All warfare is based on deception.” Sun Tzu
The Mossad motto is a paraphrase – By way of deception shall thou do war.
Hahaha, tongue… coincidence na binabasa ko si Sun Tzu, The Art of War!
#37. Wahahaha! Mas matalas ka after the by-pass, tongue!
sa isyung ito ng pambu-bully ng china sa pilipinas, BAKIT tahimik ‘ata ang mga makakaliwang grupo?
nasaan na kayo?
hindi ba’t makabayan kayo?
lumabas kayo’t magpiket sa harap ng embahada ng china at kondenahin ang kanilang pananakot at ginagawang pang-aangkin sa ilang bahagi ng ating bansa.
renato reyes et al. labaaasssssssss!!!!!!!
Isa pa, Obama will not commit its defense power to fight China for Pinas, ayaw ng Dems ng gera (bukod sa laki ng utang ng US sa China). Hanggang balanse lang sila, advice daw at tapik sa balikat for its little bro PH.
Kung ganyan pala na Pnoy backs greater presence of US in Pinas, sana hindi na tinanggal ng nanay ang US military bases. Ngayon, invite nila for a show of might against China. Lack of vision, puro emotion yata ang nangyari nuon.
Isa ka pa SnV #42 and #43. kamuntik lang ako mag-google when I read #42. I found it puzzling because just read that Snowden withdrew his request for asylum in Russia because of condition set by Putin and Ecuador does not welcome him. Kaya pala MILF. Bwaaaah.
#45 Or does it have something to do with its (China) antagonism of Japan?
Na-google ko na nga, Ellen. Buti na lang binalikan ko ang blog. hahaha!
sax: “Is there some other place in the world where China wishes less US attention?”
Africa. Chinese influence on the emerging African economies is growing ten-fold.
# 54
Tumpak. The Mossad consider the Chinese spies worthy adversaries. I forgot the book I read it from. Will post once I check my books.
Anong oras ba ito sinabi ni Gazmin? Hindi pa naka-inom?
# 16.
akon, halimbawang hingan kita ng tulong at IKAW mismo ang aking ihaharap sa aking kalabang di hamak na mas malaki sa iyo, papayag ka ba?
Here’s how the objectives of the harvesting of Meta Data are met.. Yesterday, the RCMP announced the Arrest of Two Suspects who were planning to BLOW UP the British Coluumbia Legislature with Pressure Cookers Bombs including the evidence of armed pressure cookers.. Butt the RCMP assured the Public that there was no time that it was in danger as the suspects were already been closely monitored.
@danny: nakakalungkot lamang sa parte natin na Defense Secretary ang nagsasalita. This will be like hearing the ama ng tahanan, saying, “eh wala tayong makain eh, hihingi nalang ako sa kapitbahay”
Sa palagay ko po, ito po ang ibig sabihin ng artikulong ito. We are so kawawa, ang padre ng pamilya, manlilimos ng awa sa kapit bahay imbes harapin ang tunay na problema —
Andun na po tayo na talagang mahina ang ating hukbong sandatahan kumpara sa China ngunit ito nalang po ba? Hanggang dito na lang ba tayo?
Sa mga taong tulad kong normal, bata, walang malay sa pulitika, baka magtatakbo pa ako sa Amerika at humingi ng saklolo, pero sa Defense Secretary po, nakalulungkot na iyon ang marinig…
Di po ito real vs ideal
Ito po ay tungkol sa pagiging kawawa natin.