At a time when the country needs clarity and resolve, the position of Secretary of National Defense Gilberto ‘Gibo’ C. Teodoro Jr. is plain: unproven claims have no place in disputes governed by international law, and the Philippines must stand firm in defending what is rightfully its own.
In rejecting China’s allegations over activities in Ayungin Shoal, Teodoro did more than brush them aside. He called them out for what they are and challenged China to back them up in the proper legal forum. That matters. Because in issues like this, truth is not decided by loud claims, but by evidence and law.
Civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia puts it in simple but powerful terms: ‘A nation that stands on truth and law does not bend to pressure. It stands firm, knowing that its rights are neither granted by others nor subject to negotiation.’
Many Filipinos are no longer in the dark about what is happening in the West Philippine Sea. There is a growing awareness of how China continues to assert itself in areas that fall within our lawful rights, affecting not just territory, but the lives of those who depend on these waters.
For many, this issue is no longer distant. It is where our fishermen earn a living. It is where our sailors and the Coast Guard operate. And it is where our rights, as a nation, are tested every day. Recent developments make this even clearer. Beijing warned the United States, Japan, and the Philippines against ‘playing with fire’ after the Balikatan exercises began. But working with allies is not provocation. It is preparation. It is a way of making sure the country is ready to protect itself, not just today, but in the years ahead.
The West Philippine Sea is more than just water on a map. It supports livelihoods, provides food, and represents a part of our national identity. When it is challenged, it is not just policy that is affected. It is the everyday lives of Filipinos.
Chairman Goitia captures that deeper meaning: ‘Sovereignty is not defended in whispers. It is upheld with courage, clarity, and the unyielding will of a people who refuse to be denied what is rightfully theirs.’
At its core, this is not about choosing conflict. It is about choosing dignity. It is about making it clear that while the Philippines seeks peace, it will not accept being pushed aside.
Chairman Goitia says it plainly:
‘Peace without dignity is submission. The Filipino people will always choose a peace anchored in justice, secured by courage, and defended by truth.’
That is where the country stands today. Not aggressive, but not passive either. Calm, but firm.
The message is simple. We know our rights. We will stand by them. And we will stand our ground.
Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Juris Doctor, PhD, Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement (FDNY), holds advanced degrees, including an MNSA, MPA, and MBA, among others.