The Philippines does not need military investments...for now

A local daily recently published an article stating that the Philippines needs around four squadrons or forty-eight upgraded Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, better-armed frigates, combatant vessels, minesweepers, and up to six mini submarines to create sufficient defense against Chinese attack on Philippine waters.

This is what the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) says and I say this is not something we need at the moment. I still believe in diplomacy. I still have faith in the empathy of the international community. The money that can be spent for such defenses can be put to better use in building the Philippine economy.

Why does the Philippines need to arm itself when it is a member of the United Nations? There are international legal bodies that have legitimate authority to tackle the issue of China's ridiculous sovereignty or territorial claims. It's just ridiculous to know why the Aquino government is already thinking of arms and invoking the defense treaty with America when the situation clearly does not need any of those.

The Philippines doltishly kicked out the American presence. To call for their help now is simply pathetic. To publicly rely on weakening America's support is inexpedient. I believe—and I think many of us would agree—that America will always be on our side. The West will most likely treat communism as an antagonist so it's almost certain that they will come to our aid if China decides to shoot the first bullet.

We just have to play our cards well. We can't put our benefactors on the spot. What does the country get from an American pronouncement of support to the Philippine claim on Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands? What benefit does the Philippines obtain from provoking the Chinese through arm preparations? I say nothing but the worsening of conflicts.

Military power is not the answer. Unless we have enough military defense to station at the disputed territories and unless we can offer sufficient support or assurance to Filipinos employed by the Chinese, the best moves we can work on are diplomacy and underhanded tactics. We can't confront a giant with force. We have better chances of beating the giant by being stealthy and cunning. We can't be arrogant by boasting our alliance with a superpower like America. However, we can depend on clandestine actions in cooperation with countries that don't share China's idea of progress.

Allow me to reiterate that it's really insane talking about military upgrades when we're dealing with China. We should never give up our claim to what are rightfully ours but we should have a better plan. What we need now are close cooperation with other nations that have interests in the disputed territories, especially with those that are not in good terms with the Chinese. We can't beat them with force but there are no rules that prevent us from employing sneaky maneuvers.