IT is 3 a.m. The secure line of the President by the bedside rings, the tone most urgent, conflagration-status rings. He or she picks up the phone and at the end of the line is the Defense secretary, with the chief of staff of the armed forces by his side. The bad news: a patrol craft fast (PCF) of the Philippine Coast Guard on a routine patrol in the South was attacked less than one hour ago by a foreign navy ship, the kind that routinely and brusquely intrudes into Philippine waters. The kind that regularly mocks and bullies Philippine commercial, fishing and military vessels with impunity in our own territorial waters.

'Rescue ships heading into the area to check on the burning wreck that has become of the Coast Guard PCF. We fear no one survived, Mr. President. Awaiting your orders.'