Test of resolve
The recent incident at Ayungin shoal where a handful of Navy personnel are stationed is an ejemplo of how the Chinese test their opponents determination. The BRP Sierra Madre, notwithstanding its current condition, is an active commissioned ship of the Philippine navy. This means that an armed attack on that ship is an attack on the Philippines. Such as that, the attack would amount to an act of war. The ship symbolizes right and sovereignity that is duty bound to be depended and protected by the armed forces. The Chinese acted to challenge that symbol by employing gray tactics, offensive actions that are short of an armed attack. They provoked the Filipinos by approching beyond the security perimeter and the rest is on record. The Filipinos in small rubber boats called the bluff by actively resisting the Chinese enchroacment. The little skirmish sent a message to the Chinese, that is, the Filipinos are no longer taking a passive stance. The Filipino personnel passed the Chinese test o...