In the end, its all about restoring Democracy and Peace in the region. "Asia needs a big brother, not a big bully." Hats off to Loida Nicholas-Lewis and the US Pinoys for Good Governance for raising awareness not just regarding the Scarborough Shoal dispute in the West Philippine Sea but about the richness of the Philippines and the welfare of Filipinos worldwide as well.
For Filipinos, it is clearly a 'no-brainer' that the Scarborough Shoal rightfully belongs to the Philippines by virtue of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. But Oil, Greed and Power can taint the truth and have ways of making what's so clear and simple, uber-complicated.
David vs. Goliath. What can we do when China can easily hold hostage much of our business and economy? Another point to consider is that there really aren't any special relations between the Philippines and the US (despite being 'allies') that can salvage us from the existing conflict. Obviously, The US has problems of its own and can only play the neutrality card in dealing with China. Smart. It is a sign that the US will never compromise its diplomatic relations with the countries claiming the disputed natural gas-rich shoal. Do we ask for help? Where and how? My take is that we can only be as smart about this and acknowledge that right now, options are limited. Hug the enemy like a cunning boxer to lessen the blows and to wait for the right timing. We do not want a premature 'Pacquiao' knock-out.
Like Ms. Loida Nicholas-Lewis, we can only create awareness, spread the information and put faith in humanity that somehow peace, cooperation and harmony in the Asian region will make its way.
