The third global war is in the minds of many socio-political analyst, as well as common tao, and it is not far from happening. There are solid signs to consider: member-countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO are sending their troops near the borders with Russia and its ally Belarus, while the Ukraine –Russia war continues for more than two years now. The Israel-Hamas war is spreading and started to divide the once solid Arab world: when Iran and its allies Syria and Iraq simultaneously fired their missiles toward Israel, the world was surprised when, aside from US, two Arab nations: Lebanon and Qatar, helped Israel in destroying the missiles.
In West Philippine Sea, more countries are now joining, or signifying interest to join, the multilateral defense pact with the Philippines, together with the United States, Japan and Australia. During the opening of the 39th Balikatan Exercise, the largest military drill between the US and Philippines, it was announced that the “Philippine Navy, U.S. Navy, and the French Navy will also conduct a Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.”
To counter the strengthening alliance, China is now forging coalition with Russia and North Korea to do the same naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea.
Countries like Japan and Taiwan are arming to defend themselves for possible attacks from China and Russia.
Russia threatens the West countries of nuclear retaliation, while China continues to send words of warning to the Philippines for accommodating foreign military forces in the country, especially conducting military exercises in the WPS, which China is claiming whole as its own territory. These ongoing military wars and word-wars between nations slowly crawling across borders.
There is a significant rise in number of Chinese nationals in many parts of the country, particularly in places where military installations and bases are located. The recent reports on the of Chinese students in Cagayan Province alarmed many Filipinos, as this only happened after the Philippine government announced the construction of US Military facilities there.
In the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese Coast Guard is getting aggressive in harassing resupply missions to Filipino soldiers in BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Fishermen are also complaining of harassment. The Chinese “soldier-age” tourists and workers are growing.
Hear’s to Watch: Are we ready for the worse? Are we capable enough to counter land aggression? Do we have in our inventory materials to deter even armed drone attacks from foreign aggressors? This is a reality that we have to face, we are not yet ready for any size of war. But the good thing is, the government is rushing to purchase military hardware as part of the AFP Modernization Program, while many nations have signified to help the Philippines in time of aggression. We could not predict the flow of events, that is why we must always be ready for any circumstances, as if we are expecting for the Big One.
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