Test of resolve

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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 of resolve. It obliterated their gray tactics by a gray tactics response. You see, test of resolve are essential; to determine the enemy's moral and determination; to strengthen the position in the bargaining table and to annihilate a perception of weakness, among others. Test of resolve is a serious act of balancing between defeat and victory. It may prove costly especially when applied in times of war. Following were historical events in Korean war that exhibited the "test of resolve":

-Battle of Triangle Hill (October-November 1952): Conceived by the UN Command as a limited push to test Chinese resolve and improve defensive lines near Kumhwa, this 43-day battle resulted in over 25,000 Allied and 11,000 Chinese casualties, ultimately becoming a Chinese victory. 

-Battle of Pork Chop Hill (Spring 1953): Fought over a tactically insignificant outpost, Chinese forces launched mass assaults here and on Old Baldy to demonstrate their resolve at the truce table, while the U.S. sought to retain it at a high cost in casualties. 

The unwavering determination displayed by our troops at Ayungin is nothing short of commendable. Kudos to the Philippine Navy.

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