PHILIPPINES

By Marlen V. Ronquillo

The Manila Times-June 17

Mischief Reef is part of the disputed Spratly Islands. It is merely 217 kilometers from Palawan, the nearest landmass. From the ancient maps to internationally-accepted territorial delineations, it has been, with little doubt, part of Philippine EEZ. All other ownership claims rest on fraud and easily-to-debunk concoctions, like China’s favorite “nine-dash line.”

Mischief Reef, as befits the name of the once-lonely atoll that used to disappear during high tide, is area where Beijing acts with a combination of mischief and force to push through with its territorial annexations and global ambition—and wrest total control over one of the most important maritime lanes in the world. The area generally covered by what we call the West Philippine Sea is Exhibit A on how shabbily China regards its Asian neighbors and the world.  There are even no pretensions such as “Manifest Destiny” —only an abuse of powerless neighbors via crude mischief and naked display of power.

Read more at: http://www.manilatimes.net/mischief-reef-sums-up-ph-china-relations/409155/

First published in: The Manila Times