The Thin Red Line

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Chinese state media had divulged a plan to reclaim the Scarborough Shoal (The Shoal) and convert it into a Chinese pseudo island. US Intelligence and the US military had hinted that there are indications that the Chinese may attempt to do just that. The Shoal is approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Zambales, and almost has the same distance from Manila to Dagupan City in the province of Pangasinan, which is a 2-3 hours drive northward. The Shoal is well within the Philippines 200 miles exclusive economic zone. It is a traditional fishing ground on that side of Luzon. The plan will result into the establishment of a permanent mini base that will shape and close the coordinates on China’s nine dash line, effectively fencing out, and locking down the western side of the Philippines. The area within these coordinates extending from Spratly to the Shoal will eventually become off limits to any vessel or aircraft. The Philippine military bases and that of the US under EDCA will be within spitting distance with that of the Chinese. It’s like a dagger perpetually pointed at Philippine’s throat. Beyond the arrogance of creating a pseudo island, the distinct possibility that China may install a dangerous nuclear reactor at Scarborough is more than just alarming.  

 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-nuclear-reactor-south-china-sea-spratly-islands-soviet-submarines-a7356246.html

 The reality of a meltdown is more than probable, considering that super typhoon had almost always exited the area after crossing the Philippine mainland. In the event of a meltdown, the Chinese could readily abandon the place, leaving the Philippine coast and the surrounding island saturated with radiation for hundreds of years. The threat of environmental havoc, serious breach in security and economic stagnation is real, and consequently could materialize in the not so distant future. In the light of these grim realities, the Philippines and its people should no longer dwell on complacency and indiscretion. It should now set the limit for patience and diplomacy; it should act when its back is hard pressed against the wall. It must act by the call of conscience and conviction, when the thin red line is crossed, that thin red line called the Scarborough Shoal.

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