Housekeeping in defense of the nation

ON Sept. 12, 2024, the Philippines and China held another round of talks to, among other purposes, reaffirm the use of the "bilateral consultation mechanism" as a forum for promoting maritime dialogue and enhancing bilateral cooperation while agreeing to continue engagement through diplomatic channels.

There were similar talks last July; there had been high hopes it would work. But apparently, it did not. Before, there were only "dangerous maneuvers" and "sideswiping." But after the July talks, things worsened. The anchored BRP Teresa Magbanua was rammed by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels not just once or twice but thrice! And China's foreign affairs officials had the temerity and the face to lie and claim that it was our ship that rammed the CCG vessels.